Russia Shows Signs of Slowing New COVID-19 Cases... Over 8,000 Cases for Two Consecutive Days

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[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] Following the United States, Russia, which maintains the world's second-largest scale, has seen its new COVID-19 cases remain in the 8,000 range for two consecutive days, indicating a slowdown in the increase.

On the 21st (local time), Russia's government COVID-19 influx and spread prevention headquarters announced, "In the past day, 8,849 additional confirmed cases were reported across 84 regions nationwide, including Moscow," adding, "The cumulative confirmed cases have risen to 317,554."

Since the beginning of this month, new confirmed cases, which had consistently stayed above 10,000 per day, dropped below 10,000 to 9,200 on the 16th, and from the previous day (8,764), have fallen again to the 8,000 range.

Local virus expert Dr. Anatoly Altshtein stated, "Since the 2nd of this month, the number of new confirmed cases has remained at a similar level, but in recent days, a decreasing trend has appeared, keeping the number below 10,000. This is a sign that the decrease (in new cases) has begun. It seems we have already passed the peak."

As the increase in infections has stabilized to some extent, Russian authorities, who partially eased COVID-19 restrictions such as lifting paid leave for all workers from the 12th, plan to gradually relax restrictions according to regional situations.

In areas with concentrated infections such as Moscow city and Moscow Oblast, resumption of operations for companies in the construction and manufacturing sectors has been permitted, but restrictions such as residents' self-quarantine and the closure of shopping malls, cafes, and restaurants have been extended until the end of this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.