Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | Oct. 19

Oct. 19: What you need to know today

• Health Minister Mikhail Murashko has called on doctors who are self-isolating or even retired due to the pandemic to get vaccinated and return to work due to record increases in Covid-19 infections and deaths.

Oct. 18

— Russia on Monday reported a new record high number of coronavirus cases — 34,325 over the last 24 hours, taking the total toll since the start of the pandemic above 8 million. Officials also reported another 998 Covid-19 deaths.

— Russia’s second city, St. Petersburg, announced Monday it would tighten restrictions to battle a surge in Covid-19 cases, introducing a health pass to regulate access to crowd events.

— Moscow authorities will start fining public transport passengers whose face masks do not cover their nose and mouth, a transit official said Monday.

— South Africa’s health products regulator on Monday said it would not approve Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine due to concerns it could increase the risk of HIV infection among men. The decision was based on earlier studies testing the safety of a modified form of adenovirus  — a type of virus that causes respiratory infections  — known as the Ad5 and contained in the Russian jab. 

— Russia will allow family members of foreigners who live in Russia to enter the country, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. The relaxation will allow people from countries not yet on Russia’s designated list of open countries to receive a special entry permit to come to Russia, provided they have a close relative living in Russia.

Oct. 17

— Russia on Sunday reported a record high number new coronavirus cases. Officials reported 34,303 new coronavirus cases and 997 fatalities from Covid-19 over the last 24 hours.

Oct. 16

— Russia on Saturday reported a record high number of both new coronavirus cases and deaths. Officials reported 33,208 new coronavirus cases and 1,002 fatalities from Covid-19 over the last 24 hours.

— According to Rospotrebnadzor head Anna Popova, 38 of Russia’s 85 regions have introduced vaccine mandates for certain categories of citizens and employees working in designated sectors of the economy, such as retail and hospitality.

Oct. 15

— Russia on Friday reported a record high number of both new coronavirus cases and deaths. Officials reported 32,196 new coronavirus cases and 999 fatalities from Covid-19 over the last 24 hours.

— Russia will resume regular air travel with the Bahamas, Iran, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Slovenia, Tunisia, Sweden and Thailand starting Nov. 9, the national Covid-19 headquarters announced Thursday.

Oct. 14

— Russia on Thursday reported a record high number of both new coronavirus cases and deaths. Officials reported 31,299 new coronavirus cases and 985 fatalities from Covid-19 over the last 24 hours.

Oct. 13

— Russia on Wednesday reported 28,717 new coronavirus cases and 984…