Vaccination uptake has been slow in the world’s largest country by land mass, with 146 million people. The national coronavirus task force reported 24,439 new daily cases on July 3, 2021. This was the highest since January, and double the previous day. However, the Kremlin did not mention another lock down, as COVID tackles lightly-vaccinated Russia. ‘No one wants any lock downs’ a spokesperson told Aljazeera News July 4, 2021.
Officials Blame Surge on Infectious Delta Variant
The capital city Moscow, its outlying regions and Saint Petersburg now account for half the new cases. Although it’s conceivable testing is more intense in those areas. Moscow has a population of 12.5 million people. Yet Aljazeera says the city has less than 25% vaccinations.
Meanwhile Saint Petersburg, where 5.5 million people live, hosted a soccer Euro 2020 quarter-final between Spain and Switzerland Friday. Its latest case count is 1,733 new cases and 110 new deaths. Moreover, Aljazeera claims ‘pictures from the city’s fan zones showed many people without mandatory covering of mouth and nose’.
A Case Study as COVID Tackles Lightly-Vaccinated Russia
We shan’t be going into the politics surrounding COVID and Russia. That’s because each nation counters the pandemic best it can, and national debates may obscure what should be done. But the government seems to be trying a firmer approach, as COVID tackles lightly-vaccinated Russia and makes increasing inroads.
Aljazeera reports officials have prohibited people going to potential hot spots. These include cafes, bars and restaurants. The only exceptions are those able to prove vaccination, immunity or a negative test. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said those who don’t get the coronavirus vaccine will ‘most likely have limited work options’.
He told The Hill ‘The reality is such that discrimination will inevitably set in. People without vaccination or immunity will not be able to work everywhere. It is not possible. It will pose a threat to those around them.’
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Preview Image: Daily Confirmed Cases in Russia
