Russia coronavirus cases rise past 420,000 as deaths surpass 5,000

AKIPRESS.COM - Russia confirmed 8,863 new coronavirus infections Tuesday, bringing the country's official number of cases to 423,741, Moscow Times reports.
Over the past 24 hours 182 people have died, bringing the total toll to 5,037 - a rate considerably lower than in many other countries hit hard by the pandemic.
A total of 11,108 people have recovered, bringing the overall number of recoveries to 186,985.
New infections have been steadily dropping since mid-May when officials were reporting daily increases of around 11,000 cases.
Officials say Russia's high virus count is the result of mass testing and that a steady decline in new infections and its low fatality numbers mean the country can begin to return to normal.
Yet critics have cast doubt on the numbers, accusing the authorities of under-reporting deaths and threatening a new wave of infections by lifting restrictions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced that a postponed nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that could extend his hold over power will go ahead on July 1.