Russia records nearly 9,000 new coronavirus cases

Russia has recorded nearly 9,000 new cases of coronavirus, roughly consistent with increases reported over past two weeks. national coronavirus task force said Saturday that 4,555 Russians have died of COVID-19 and 396,575 infections have been confirmed overall.

relatively low mortality rate compared with or countries has prompted skepticism domestically and abro.

In a bid to dispel suspicions that authorities are trying to lower death toll for political reasons, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova explained Friday that Russia's count contains only those confirmed to have died of infection, but she also gave figures for people who tested positive for virus but died of or causes.

If all categories are counted as COVID-19 deaths, nation's total toll for April would stand at 2,713, or nearly 60 per cent more than previously anunced number. 

(Photo Credit: AP)