By Ebi Kesiena
Russia’s Covid death toll has reached at least 578,020, the third worst in the world.
According to Reuters calculations based on official statistics for October, the country’s deadliest month so far.
Russia ranks behind the United States and Brazil with around 787,000 and 615,000 deaths respectively, according to Reuters calculations, having overtaken India in October.
Figures released on Friday by the official statistics agency Rosstat, showed at least 74,893 people died from Covid or related causes in October, exceeding the previous peak of 51,044 in July.
The surge followed the start of the school year and was driven by the Delta variant and a slow vaccination rate, Russian authorities said. Many people are reluctant to trust the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine despite repeated appeals from President Vladimir Putin.
Russia imposed a week-long nationwide workplace shutdown at the start of November to curb infections. On Friday it reported 32,930 new cases and 1,217 deaths in the previous 24 hours – both down from November peaks, but still high.
The country is yet to report an Omicon case; Putin has told the Government to draw up an action plan to fight it.
