Russia hits daily COVID-19 infection record after stay-at-home week

Russia has hit a daily record for coronavirus infections after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the whole country to participate in a stay-at-home week to try to slow the spread of the virus.

The country recorded 41,335 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, according to the country’s coronavirus task force, The Associated Press reported.

The number beat the previous week’s record high of 40,993.

The latest stay-at-home week, which started Oct. 30, sent most Russians home, with only essential employees allowed to work. 

However, some Russians used the time to take vacations within their country or to other countries. 

Officials are saying the continuing wave of infection that began weeks ago is due to the country’s low vaccination rate, according to the AP.

Less than 40 percent of the country is vaccinated despite pleas from Putin and others to get the vaccine.

“There are only two ways to get over this period — to get sick or to receive a vaccine,” Putin said last month. “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.”

Certain regions in Russia have extended the stay-at-home week due to the increase in cases.