Russia surpasses its daily record for COVID-19 deaths

Russia has surpassed its daily record for COVID-19 deaths as the nation experiences a surge in cases. 

The country recorded 1,163 deaths on Friday, according to the its coronavirus task force, The Associated Press reported. It also recorded 39,849 new cases, almost breaking the record it broke on Thursday for daily new cases.

The country previously broke its daily COVID-19 death record on Wednesday, with 1,123 deaths recorded at the time, according to the AP.

The broken record comes right before the nonworking period Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to try to curb the spread of the virus.

In one of the first national coronavirus restrictions implemented by the government during this surge in cases, Russians have been ordered to not go to work between Oct. 30 and Nov. 7.

Those in areas that have been hit hardest by the pandemic could face a longer work suspension period.

Grocery stores, pharmacies and other necessary companies will remain open. Those who can prove their vaccination status will be allowed to go to theaters and other venues, according to the AP. 

Russia has a low vaccination rate, with just 32 percent of the country’s population fully vaccinated, data from Johns Hopkins University showed.

“There are only two ways to get over this period — to get sick or to receive a vaccine,” Putin previously said. “It’s better to get the vaccine, why wait for the illness and it’s grave consequences? Please be responsible and take the necessary measures to protect yourself, your health and your close ones.”