Coronavirus: Russia records nearly 75,000 new cases in single week, total now 262,843
Russia has registered close to 75,000 new coronavirus cases over the past week alone with 10,000 new infections confirmed on Friday, as Moscow unveils mass antibody testing and a national lockdown is eased.
Health officials reported 10,598 new infections in the last 24 hours, bringing the country’s total to 262,843, the second-highest in the world after the United States.
Russia says its high number of cases is due in part to a massive testing campaign that has seen more than six million tests carried out.
For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.
Moscow accounts for roughly half of all infections and the city said it would be launching mass voluntary tests for antibodies from Friday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin this week announced that a nationwide lockdown aimed at slowing the spread of the virus would be eased, even as health officials record a steady increase in new cases.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app
Despite its high number of cases, Russia's official coronavirus fatality rate is low in comparison to countries like the United States, Britain, Italy and Spain.
The country reported 113 new coronavirus deaths on Friday, bringing Russia’s total to 2,418.
Read more:
Russia may need army to help battle coronavirus: Putin
Coronavirus: Russia to end economic shutdown
Coronavirus: Russia stops use of ventilators that may have caused fires in hospitals
Authorities say this is because Russia was able to learn lessons from the experiences of western Europe, moving quickly to isolate travelers and people at risk, and launch a vast campaign to test and quarantine those infected.

But critics have cast doubt on the figures, accusing the authorities of under-counting by blaming virus-related deaths on other causes.
-
Global coronavirus death toll surpasses 300,000-mark: Reuters tally
Global coronavirus deaths passed 300,000 on Thursday as infections approached 4.5 million, according to a Reuters tally, with the United States ... Coronavirus -
Any new coronavirus vaccine will take two years, says Novartis CEO
Any vaccine to fight the new coronavirus will not be ready for use for at least two years, the chief executive of Swiss pharmaceutical company ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Restaurants use mannequins, dolls to fill ‘social distancing’ voids
As restaurants in the United States prepare to reopen following shutdowns due to coronavirus preventative measures, owners are using mannequins and ... Coronavirus