Russia admits that the death toll from the epidemic is three times higher than announced

According to the Russian news agency Rosstat, the number of deaths in the country from January to November from all causes increased by 229,700 cases compared to 2019.

“More than 81% of the increase in mortality during this period was due to COVID-19”, Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova said on December 28.

This statement means that the number of deaths due to the Russian epidemic is reduced to more than 186,000 cases. This is three times higher than the country’s current statistics of 55,265 cases.

With more than 186,000 people dying from the epidemic, Russia has the third highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the world, behind only the United States and Brazil.

According to The Hill, President Putin has always emphasized that maintaining a low death rate due to the epidemic is a sign of Russia’s success in fighting the campaign.

Russia was the first country to approve the COVID-19 vaccine in the world, but experts around the world have raised questions due to a lack of data on the timing of clinical trials.

Currently, Russia has authorized the circulation of two COVID-19 vaccines, including Sputnik V developed by the Gamaleya Center in Moscow and EpiVacCorona by specialists from the Vector Center in Siberia. In the near future, the third vaccine of the Federal Center for Research and Development of Immunological Products, called Chumakov, will be registered.

Since December 8, Russia launched its national campaign for COVID-19 vaccination, and about 480,000 doses are expected to be used this month.

According to a Kremlin statement on December 27, President Putin is likely to receive the Sputnik V vaccine soon.

“The president has made a decision and is waiting for all the paperwork to be completed“Said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Earlier, the Russian Health Ministry said that the Sputnik V vaccine was certified for use in the elderly after a separate test. Consequently, people over the age of 60 can register for vaccinations starting December 28,