Russia: Authorities report record rise in COVID-19 cases on November 6 /update 48

Event

The Russian Virus Response Center reported a record rise of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on Friday, November 6, with a total of 20,582 new infections. The latest daily update marks the first time that the country's total number of positive cases has exceeded 20,000 over a single 24-hour period. The nationwide total stands at 1,733,440 with 29,654 associated deaths. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Thursday, November 5, that amid the recent spike in cases, a two-week extension to keep older schoolchildren home has been enacted.  

In late October, the federal government ordered local authorities to enforce the mandatory use of face masks in some public places. Under the new nationwide measures, people are required to wear face masks in parking structures, lifts, and taxis, as well as on public transport. Mask requirements were already in place in some cities, including Moscow, but had not previously been introduced in many other areas of the country.

In addition to the mandatory mask rules, the government also requested that local authorities impose a 23:00 (local time) closure time for bars and restaurants. It is unclear how many towns and cities have implemented the opening time restrictions, but some local sources stated that the measure had in fact been ordered by federal authorities rather than recommended.

Despite the recent rise of COVID-19 cases, the government has stated that it will not reintroduce total lockdowns and will instead focus on measures implemented at the local level.

Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the virus.