Russia breaks record with over 1,000 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours

Russia hit over 1,000 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours on Saturday, breaking the record for the most daily deaths from the virus in the country.

The country’s coronavirus task force said there were 1,002 deaths on Saturday as the country continues to struggle with the pandemic, The Associated Press reported. 

Russia has been breaking its daily coronavirus death toll throughout the past week, hitting 999 deaths on Friday.

Along with the broken death toll record Saturday, the country recorded more than 33,000 new coronavirus cases.

Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said Thursday there needed to be national action and “if we don’t take measures to restrict social communications resulting in growing infections, we will face rising contagion.”

The Russian government has given authority to local regions to implement coronavirus restrictions, resisting putting national measures in place. 

Some regions have put restrictions on certain activities, but cities haven’t seen strict coronavirus policies put in place, according to the AP.

The continuing cases are putting a strain on the country’s health system with only 29 percent of the population fully vaccinated.

There have been supply problems with the Russian-developed Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine that have left people around the world waiting for their doses.