Russia ends week-long paid holiday despite sharp spike in Covid-19 cases

Moscow: In Russia, a week-long paid holiday ended yesterday aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. The country is witnessing thousands of new cases and more than 1,000 deaths per day.

President Vladimir Putin ordered a paid holiday period from October 30 to November 7 in a bid to stem soaring infections and deaths. With more than 8.8 million cases registered since the start of the pandemic, Russia is one of the worst-hit countries in the world and a devastating wave this autumn has



seen infections and deaths reach new records. 

Yesterday, authorities reported 39,400 new cases and 1,190 fatalities over the previous 24 hours. The highest number of new infections -- 41,335 was recorded on Saturday, while the highest number of new deaths --1,195 was reported last Thursday.

Russia has rolled out several homegrown vaccines, including Sputnik V, but only about a third of the population is fully inoculated