A disturbing record. Russia registered 808 deaths this Thursday caused by Covid-19 in 24 hours, the highest number since the start of the pandemic. A combined effect of the Delta variant and a slow vaccination campaign.
This report brings to 168,049 the number of deaths registered by the government as due to Covid-19. However, it is partial, because it only takes into account autopsy deaths whose main cause is the coronavirus. The Russian statistical agency Rosstat, which has a broader definition, reports more than 300,000 deaths at the end of June 2021. The country has also registered 21,932 new contaminations, according to the daily report provided by the crisis center of the Russian government.
The epidemic wave caused by the delta variant is even more deadly, some 21,000 dead in June alone, according to Rosstat, as Russians do not rush to get vaccinated, in a context of distrust towards vaccines developed by Russia, such as Sputnik V.
Only 30% of the population received at least one injection, while the campaign, launched with much official propaganda, began in December 2020. President Vladimir Putin’s calls for vaccinations did not allow any further acceleration.
Sporadic or lax health measures are also unlikely to contain the epidemic. Most of the restrictions have been lifted, especially in Moscow, the epicenter of the epidemic on Russian soil, to preserve the economy.
In July, a health pass was briefly implemented in the capital for restaurants, but it was quickly suspended. As for the use of the mask, it is very uncertain, while in theory it is mandatory both in closed public places and in public transport.