Russia on Saturday passed three million confirmed coronavirus infections, as authorities hold out against reimposing a national lockdown while the country is battered by a second wave. In the past 24 hours, 29,258 new infections and 567 deaths were registered in Russia, fourth on the list of hardest-hit countries worldwide. Since winter began, each week has brought new records for new cases and deaths, with epicentres in capital Moscow and second-largest city Saint Petersburg. Putin said last week at an annual press conference that Russia had done a "better" job managing the pandemic than western countries. But Russian authorities only count as Covid deaths those where an autopsy confirms the virus was the main cause.

Source: Mint December 26, 2020 11:02 UTC