The number of infections in northern Russia’s Murmansk region has surpassed those of the two countries it neighbors, according to official data.
The Murmansk region has confirmed a total of 9,791 coronavirus cases as of Tuesday. To the region's east, Finland has confirmed 7,404 cases and Norway has registered 9,132.
Finland and Norway each have populations about seven times higher than that of the Murmansk region.
Of the Murmansk region's overall cases, 2,299 are at Belokamenka, Novatek’s huge construction site by the Kola Bay. The rest of its cases, 7,492, are spread across the region that geographically covers the Kola Peninsula in Russia’s northwestern corner.
The number of Covid-19 infections in the Murmansk region has more than doubled since Governor Andri Chibis started to lift its strict lockdown measures in late June. On June 21, the region had registered 4,431 cases.
While the outbreak at Belokamenka seems to be more or less under control with two new cases in the last day, the outbreak in the city of Murmansk is more severe with 113 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, according to the regional coronavirus task force.
In Severomorsk, where people stood shoulder-by-shoulder on Sunday to watch the annual Navy Day parade, the number of cases increased by 28 since yesterday. The total number of infections at the Northern Fleet’s main base is now 798.
Russia confirmed 5,395 new coronavirus infections Tuesday, bringing the country’s official number of cases to 823,515.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
