Russia virus cases soar again as Delta strain sparks resurgence
Russia on Sunday (Jul 4) reported more than 25,000 new COVID-19 infections after a week of record death tolls as the highly contagious Delta variant propels a global resurgence of the pandemic. The corona virus has killed nearly 4 million people worldwide, forcing numerous nations to reimpose restrictions well over a year after the outbreak of the pandemic.
Moscow has so far ruled out a new lockdown, but Sunday's 25,142 new cases were the biggest figure since Jan 2. Record virus deaths were registered five days in a row rising to 697 on Saturday, before dropping to 663 for Sunday.
Widespread skepticism and a sluggish rollout has seen only 16 per cent of Russia's 146 million people vaccinated. President Vladimir Putin is urging Russians to get vaccinated and "listen to experts" rather than rumors. Asia is on the frontline again with Bangladesh's 168 million populations under a strict week-long nationwide lockdown patrolled by police and troops.
The city of Khulna, bordering India, has become Bangladesh's virus hotspot in a dire new Delta surge with hospitals barely able to cope. Mohammad Siddik leaned against empty oxygen cylinders tearfully telling relatives in phone calls that his 50-year-old brother had died. The businessman brought him to hospital as his condition deteriorated, only to find no bed and no oxygen, he told AFP.
"He passed away gasping for air in the hospital corridor," said Siddik Indonesia imposed a partial lockdown on Saturday, a day after also reporting more than 25,000 cases and 539 deaths, both new daily records.Mosques, restaurants and shopping malls were shuttered in the capital Jakarta, across the main island of Java and on Bali after the daily caseload quadrupled in less than a month.
