Russia sets new record for daily COVID-19 cases ahead of stay-at-home week

Russia set another record Saturday for new daily COVID-19 cases ahead of a nationwide order for citizens to stay at home for a week.

According to Russia’s coronavirus task force, the country recorded 40,251 new infections over the past day, the most cases the most cases the country has notched in a single day throughout the pandemic, The Associated Press reported.

The country also saw 1,160 coronavirus-related deaths, a number slightly less than 1,163 deaths recorded on Friday.The country last broke its own record of daily new coronavirus cases on Thursday with 40,096 recorded.

The grim milestone comes as Russia continues to battle the disease. Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken a relatively hands-off approach, allowing governors in Russia to administer stay-at-home orders or dole out mitigation methods, according to The New York Times. 

However, amid the recent surge, Putin has ordered most workers to stay at home for a week beginning Monday in order to curb the spread of the virus. In areas that have been hit hard by the virus, the stay-at-home period will be longer than a week. 

The AP noted some Russians are taking this as an opportunity to go on vacations.

Along with the stay-at-home period, Putin has called on all Russians to get vaccinated to turn the page on the pandemic. 

“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.”

Some theaters, museums and other venues will stay open during the next week, but only those who are vaccinated against the virus will be allowed to enter.