Vladmir Putin, March 10, 2020 at the State Duma in Moscow. - Anton Novoderezhkin / TASS / Sipa US / SIPA

If the number of cases of coronavirus remains low compared to other European countries, Russia estimated, this Tuesday, not to have a “clear image” of the extent of the contaminations in the country.

"The problem is that the volume of tests is very low, and no one has a clear picture" of the reality in Russia as in the world, said Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who heads the task force to fight against the epidemic and participated in a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

At least 500 cases in Russia

On several occasions last week, the Head of State reported on a situation under control, pointing to the situation in France and Italy. The mayor, close to Vladimir Putin, noted that in the Russian capital, the number of 290 cases identified at present is underestimated. There are probably between 400 to 500, he added. In Russia, 495 cases of Covid-19 have been officially counted, according to figures released on Tuesday. "It's a high dynamic, it's a serious situation that is developing," Sergei Sobyanin told the Russian president.

The official, who implemented the most stringent measures in Moscow such as the quarantine of travelers, the limitation of public gatherings or the closure of schools and entertainment facilities in Moscow, ruled that the Russian regions should follow this example. He notably asked that people over 65 be confined to their homes, as will be the case in Moscow from Thursday. Sergei Sobianin also noted the importance of identifying travelers who have returned from abroad in recent weeks. He took the example of the Primorye region in the Far East, where 6,000 people returned from "infected areas". "It's a problem, a big problem. And sooner or later the problem will go viral, ”he said.

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  • Coronavirus
  • Covid 19
  • World
  • Sickness
  • Vladimir Poutine
  • Russia
  • Moscow