According to a report by TASS, a Russian news agency, the number of COVID-19 cases in Russia has risen by 7,099 over the past day to 106,498 in all regions.
The anti-coronavirus crisis centre has said, “Russia has registered a growth in coronavirus infection cases in 85 regions to 106,399 cases. Some 1,333 people have been discharged over the past day and 11,619 over the entire period. The previous day saw 101 fatalities bringing the total death toll from the coronavirus to 1,073.”
Moscow alone has confirmed 3,093 new coronavirus cases, taking the total case tally in the capital to 53,739.
It looks like the coronavirus crisis in Russia isn’t slowing down. The country is on the brink of a massive struggle and its leader Vladimir Putin said that the worse is yet to come. As per experts, Russia’s proximity to China has contributed to the rise in the number of cases. Other reasons experts stated were tightly packed cities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended the country’s national lockdown until May 11.
Russia has been on a ‘national holiday’ to curb the spread of the coronavirus since late March. During the initial weeks of the pandemic, the country reported far fewer cases than other major European nations.
Given the lack of reliable medical equipment and staff to operate them, Russia could be facing more of a struggle to deal with increasing cases of those infected with the virus. In addition to this, Russia is short of the equipment that goes with ventilators, like oxygen and anaesthetic sedatives.
Putin on Tuesday admitted that the country had a shortage of critical personal protective equipment for health care workers. “Ahead of us is a new stage, perhaps the most intense stage of the fight against the epidemic,” he was quoted as saying in a Financial Times report. “The risks of getting infected are at the highest level, and the threat, the mortal danger of the virus persists. Russia has managed to slow down the spread of the epidemic, but we haven’t passed the peak yet,” he added.
The warning is in contrast with some European countries that have moved to gradually ease restrictions and quarantine rules.
As per analysts, the Russian economy will shrink by around 5 per cent this year, as a side-effect of the pandemic. Restrictive measures taken due to COVID-19 have hurt businesses resulting in lay-offs.
Dr Vasiliy Vlassov, an epidemiologist at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, was quoted in a Vox report as saying, “government continues to open more and more hospitals for COVID-19 patients, and they are filled quickly.”
Putin however, cannot be blamed of standing by when COVID-19 pandemic broke out across the globe. On January 30, the Kremlin closed its large, far-eastern border with China and suspended the issue of e-visas to Chinese natives. Following this, it evacuated Russians from China on military aeroplanes and warned that they would deport foreigners in Russia who would test positive for the virus.
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It also announced an order for passengers flying into Moscow from China, Iran, and South Korea to undergo tests once they stepped off the plane, and, in the meantime, citizens returning from Europe would have their temperatures checked and be ordered to quarantine for 14 days at home.
A new problem emerges during the lockdown
Russia during lockdown is facing a new problem—excessive drinking or alcoholism, an AFP report reads. Russians, a lot of them stuck in cramped flats are worried that the lockdown could push them back to their old ways.
"When I found myself alone at home, the first thought I had was 'ah, it's a good time to get drunk,'" Tatyana, a recovering alcoholic on lockdown in Moscow was quoted as saying to AFP.
Alcoholism has been on the wane in the country for years owing to anti-drink campaigns and aggressive moves by authorities to control sales. As per a survey by a campaign group Sober Russia, 75 per cent of respondents reported buying more alcohol than usual, similar to what they would purchase ahead of New Year's Eve, even if it was only for stockpiling.
A psychiatrist specialising in addiction, Vasily Shurov says the phone hasn't stopped ringing at the private addiction clinic he heads in Moscow, as while in isolation, fragile patients are experiencing higher levels of anxiety.
Another emerging problem seems to be that of domestic violence, with husbands getting laid-off and assaulting women after bingeing on alcohol.
Rights campaigner Alyona Popova is calling for an emergency law to be passed to ensure women fleeing domestic violence are not penalised for breaking lockdown rules.
