Russia's virus cases exceed 1 million, globally 4th highest

Russia's tally of confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 1 million on Tuesday as authorities reported 4,729 new cases. With a total of 1,000,048 reported cases, Russia has fourth largest caselo in world after US, Brazil and India. Experts say true toll of pandemic is much higher than all reported figures, due to limited testing, missed mild cases and concealment of cases by some governments, among or factors.

As of Tuesday, Russia has lifted most lockdown restrictions in majority of country's regions. Last month, Russian authorities anunced approval of first ever COVID-19 vaccine a move that Western experts met with scepticism and unease as shots were only tested on a few dozen people. Last week, officials anunced starting vanced trials of vaccine among 40,000 people. It remains unclear wher vaccination of risk groups such as doctors and teachers anunced earlier this year will be part of trials or carried out in parallel.