Reuters advised record-high daily coronavirus infections in Russia on October 17, 2021. The channel confirmed the nation’s coronavirus task force reported 34,303 cases of new coronavirus infections in the previous 24 hours. The state of the COVID pandemic in Russia was also clearly evident from the 997 related deaths during the period. Especially as these were a scant 5 lower than the record 1,002 deaths the previous day.
Is a Slow Vaccination Response Behind the Fourth Surge?
The current cumulative COVID death toll in Russia now stands at 223,000, after 8 million reported infections. It is worth knowing the Russian Federation has 145 million residents when comparing this data with other countries.
Reuters advises the Russian government blames slow vaccination for the current state of the COVID pandemic in the Federation. The reasons for this belong in the realms of politics and culture.
However, this tardy response could well be behind the sharp increase of infections, and deaths given the success of vaccinations elsewhere. We understand Russia’s health service has asked retired, vaccinated medics to report to hospitals to relieve pressure on permanent staff.
How Serious Is The State of the COVID Pandemic in Russia?
Washington Post reports the actual infection and death rates in Russia may be higher. It makes this claim based on information from ‘independent demographers and data analysts’. However, we are unable to verify these.
But Washington Post does advise ‘At least three top researchers have been dismissed, or have resigned from their posts’. Independent demographer Alexey Raksha estimates excess mortalities reached 750,000. This is a generally accepted, reliable indicator for deaths during a pandemic.
We are not suggesting manipulated data on either side, as some others may have done. We do however find the conflicting data worrying. Especially at a time when the world needs to work together, in a culture of openness and honesty.
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