tass--2020-04-17--Belgium’s coronavirus death toll tops 5,000

BRUSSELS , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Belgium increased by 313 in the past 24 hours to reach 5,163 , the national health ministry said Friday .
In the past 24 hours , 1,329 new coronavirus infections were identified , bringing the total to 36,138 .
Belgium has been placed under a strict nationwide lockdown since March 14 .
It was initially planned to be in effect only until April 5 , but on March 27 the authorities decided to extend it until April 19 with possible extension until May 3 .
All educational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down , students and schoolkids are practicing distance learning , all mass events are banned irrespective of the number of participants .
All private companies are recommended to tell their employees to work from home , working hours of government agencies are cut down , while only emergency services operate without any changes .
Belgium also shut down its borders and banned any trips around the country , residents are only allowed to travel within their district of residence .
Citizens are obliged to practice social distancing in transport and shops .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness across the globe .

BRUSSELS, April 17. /TASS/. The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Belgium increased by 313 in the past 24 hours to reach 5,163, the national health ministry said Friday.
In the past 24 hours, 1,329 new coronavirus infections were identified, bringing the total to 36,138.
Belgium has been placed under a strict nationwide lockdown since March 14. It was initially planned to be in effect only until April 5, but on March 27 the authorities decided to extend it until April 19 with possible extension until May 3.
All educational, cultural and social facilities are shut down, students and schoolkids are practicing distance learning, all mass events are banned irrespective of the number of participants. All private companies are recommended to tell their employees to work from home, working hours of government agencies are cut down, while only emergency services operate without any changes.
Belgium also shut down its borders and banned any trips around the country, residents are only allowed to travel within their district of residence. Citizens are obliged to practice social distancing in transport and shops.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-17--Russian Foreign Ministry protests against Norway’s detention of Russian trawler

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Foreign Ministry has sent a note of protest to Norway ’ s embassy following the Norwegian Coast Guard ’ s detention of a Russian fishing trawler off Spitsbergen on April 2 , the ministry ’ s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday .
`` The Russian Foreign Ministry has sent a note to the Norwegian embassy in Moscow .
The document says that such actions by the Norwegian authorities cause serious concern .
We have repeatedly informed Norway that Russia does not recognize the so-called fisheries protection zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We believe that the Norwegian Coast Guard ’ s practice of detaining foreign vessels is in line with Norway ’ s policy aimed at wrongfully extending its rights in relation to the archipelago in breach of the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty , '' the Russian diplomat added .
`` This year marks the centennial anniversary of the document and we urge Oslo to strictly comply with the spirit and letter of the treaty based on the idea of international cooperation and mutual respect for the rights and legal interests of states parties @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. The Russian Foreign Ministry has sent a note of protest to Norway’s embassy following the Norwegian Coast Guard’s detention of a Russian fishing trawler off Spitsbergen on April 2, the ministry’s Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Friday.
"The Russian Foreign Ministry has sent a note to the Norwegian embassy in Moscow. The document says that such actions by the Norwegian authorities cause serious concern. We have repeatedly informed Norway that Russia does not recognize the so-called fisheries protection zone around Spitsbergen," Zakharova pointed out.
"We believe that the Norwegian Coast Guard’s practice of detaining foreign vessels is in line with Norway’s policy aimed at wrongfully extending its rights in relation to the archipelago in breach of the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty," the Russian diplomat added.
"This year marks the centennial anniversary of the document and we urge Oslo to strictly comply with the spirit and letter of the treaty based on the idea of international cooperation and mutual respect for the rights and legal interests of states parties," Zakharova said.


tass--2020-04-17--Russian coronavirus cases keep rising by 14-17% every day

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russia has been successful in keeping the daily coronavirus growth rate at 14-17 % , Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said at a briefing on Friday .
`` I would like to point out that Russia is keeping the daily infection growth rate at 14-17 $ , preventing it from exceeding the 20 % level , '' she said .
At the same time , the watchdog ’ s chief added that infectious disease doctors and researchers usually took per-100,000 population figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per-100,000 population figure currently stands at 17 , which is five times lower than in Canada , ten times lower than in Germany and 20 times lower than in Switzerland .
We believe that this comparison is more correct , '' Popova noted .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .
To date , a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia ’ s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Russia has been successful in keeping the daily coronavirus growth rate at 14-17%, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing Anna Popova said at a briefing on Friday.
"I would like to point out that Russia is keeping the daily infection growth rate at 14-17$, preventing it from exceeding the 20% level," she said.
At the same time, the watchdog’s chief added that infectious disease doctors and researchers usually took per-100,000 population figures into account.
"Russia’s per-100,000 population figure currently stands at 17, which is five times lower than in Canada, ten times lower than in Germany and 20 times lower than in Switzerland. We believe that this comparison is more correct," Popova noted.
Coronavirus pandemic
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
To date, a total of 32,008 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 2,590 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 273 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-17--Moscow aware of only 6 Russian schoolkids who returned home from US

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Washington claims that out of 80 Russian schoolchildren who were studying in the US through educational programs 51 kids already arrived back home , but the Russian Foreign Ministry is only aware of six such children , spokeswoman for the Russian diplomatic agency Maria Zakharova said Friday .
In view of this , Moscow is looking for concrete information from Washington but there are few results so far , the spokeswoman informed .
`` We continue to seek specifics from the US authorities about the Russian schoolchildren who travelled to the country for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diplomat told a briefing .
`` There have been few results yet .
The US Department of State is refusing to admit that they curate the Secondary School Student Program even though its official website has direct links to it . ''
According to Zakharova , Washington still has not submitted lists of names and phone numbers of the Russian schoolkids to Moscow .
`` Ten days ago , we were informed that as part of the previously mentioned program 74 Russian children had been staying in the United States since fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American side that there are actually 80 of them , '' Zakharova revealed .
`` It is claimed that only 29 of them are still staying in the US while the rest have allegedly left for home . ''
`` We have official information about only six kids who made it to Russia , '' the diplomat underlined .
`` It is unclear where the rest are , when and where from they left and , the main thing , whether they arrived in Russia .
The [ US ] Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on this now . ''
The diplomat added that the US side only today provided Moscow with a list of seven organizations that dealt with schoolkid exchanges between Russia and the United States .
However , the list does not contain their addresses or phone numbers .
`` Our embassy in Washington is trying to find contacts of these organizations based on their email addresses , '' the diplomat said .
In this regard , the spokeswoman expressed regret that the American partners are perfectly incapable of providing clear information about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be explained by the fact that the Department of State is working remotely , '' she suggested .
`` But we would like to see greater work and more cooperation considering that we are talking about minors . ''

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Washington claims that out of 80 Russian schoolchildren who were studying in the US through educational programs 51 kids already arrived back home, but the Russian Foreign Ministry is only aware of six such children, spokeswoman for the Russian diplomatic agency Maria Zakharova said Friday.
In view of this, Moscow is looking for concrete information from Washington but there are few results so far, the spokeswoman informed. "We continue to seek specifics from the US authorities about the Russian schoolchildren who travelled to the country for various educational and introductory programs," the diplomat told a briefing. "There have been few results yet. The US Department of State is refusing to admit that they curate the Secondary School Student Program even though its official website has direct links to it."
According to Zakharova, Washington still has not submitted lists of names and phone numbers of the Russian schoolkids to Moscow. "Ten days ago, we were informed that as part of the previously mentioned program 74 Russian children had been staying in the United States since fall. Currently, there are reports from the American side that there are actually 80 of them," Zakharova revealed. "It is claimed that only 29 of them are still staying in the US while the rest have allegedly left for home."
"We have official information about only six kids who made it to Russia," the diplomat underlined. "It is unclear where the rest are, when and where from they left and, the main thing, whether they arrived in Russia. The [US] Department of State cannot respond, we are working on this now."
The diplomat added that the US side only today provided Moscow with a list of seven organizations that dealt with schoolkid exchanges between Russia and the United States. However, the list does not contain their addresses or phone numbers. "Our embassy in Washington is trying to find contacts of these organizations based on their email addresses," the diplomat said.
In this regard, the spokeswoman expressed regret that the American partners are perfectly incapable of providing clear information about the Russian school students. "It possibly can be explained by the fact that the Department of State is working remotely," she suggested. "But we would like to see greater work and more cooperation considering that we are talking about minors."
Responsibility and risks


tass--2020-04-17--Norway’s coronavirus infections near 7,000

HELSINKI , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The number of newly confirmed coronavirus infections in Norway increased by 100 in @ @ @ @ @ bring the total to 6,891 , the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ contracted coronavirus , '' the institute said in a statement .
Thursday ’ s figures @ @ @ @ @ Norway reported its first coronavirus case in late February .
The government banned all foreigners @ @ @ @ @ permits from entering the country because of the pandemic and introduced border control on its @ @ @ @ @ .
Authorities also shut down all preschools , schools and universities in the country .
@ @ @ @ @ are obliged to enter a two-week quarantine .

HELSINKI, April 17. /TASS/. The number of newly confirmed coronavirus infections in Norway increased by 100 in the past 24 hours to bring the total to 6,891, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said Friday.
"Overall, 6,891 people contracted coronavirus," the institute said in a statement. Thursday’s figures pointed to 6,791 infections.
Norway reported its first coronavirus case in late February. The government banned all foreigners who do not hold residency permits from entering the country because of the pandemic and introduced border control on its border within the Schengen Area. Authorities also shut down all preschools, schools and universities in the country. All citizens returning from overseas are obliged to enter a two-week quarantine.


tass--2020-04-17--Russian Northern Fleet warships hold artillery drills in stormy Barents Sea

SEVEROMORSK /Murmansk Region/ , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The crews of the small missile ships Aisberg and Rassvet from the Northern Fleet ’ s Kola Flotilla of All-Arms Forces held drills with artillery firings at coastal combat training ranges in the Barents Sea , the Fleet ’ s press office reported on Friday .
`` The Aisberg and the Rassvet operating within a surface action group practiced an artillery battle with a notional enemy ’ s warships at medium and large distances , and also conducted fire against simulated air targets , acting under the scenario of repelling a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hypothetical enemy ’ s fighter-bombers and attack aircraft , '' the press office said in a statement .
Apart from the artillery firings , the ships ’ crews practiced staging passive electronic countermeasures and decoy targets to counter the notional enemy ’ s precision missile strike , the statement says .
The small missile ships accomplished all the combat assignments in severe weather conditions in a stormy sea .
The area of artillery firings was closed for shipping and flights for the time of the drills .
After accomplishing their combat training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Rassvet returned to their home station of Polyarny in the Kola Bay , the press office added .
The Aisberg and the Rassvet are the Project 1234.1 ( Ovod-1 ) missile corvettes designated to fight potential enemy ships in inland seas and in the coastal zone .
The warships are armed with Malakhit anti-ship cruise missiles , AK-176 and AK-630 artillery guns , Osa-MA surface-to-air missile launchers and electronic warfare systems .
The missile corvettes can operate both as part of a naval task force and solely .

SEVEROMORSK /Murmansk Region/, April 17. /TASS/. The crews of the small missile ships Aisberg and Rassvet from the Northern Fleet’s Kola Flotilla of All-Arms Forces held drills with artillery firings at coastal combat training ranges in the Barents Sea, the Fleet’s press office reported on Friday.
"The Aisberg and the Rassvet operating within a surface action group practiced an artillery battle with a notional enemy’s warships at medium and large distances, and also conducted fire against simulated air targets, acting under the scenario of repelling a surprise attack on a naval group by the hypothetical enemy’s fighter-bombers and attack aircraft," the press office said in a statement.
Apart from the artillery firings, the ships’ crews practiced staging passive electronic countermeasures and decoy targets to counter the notional enemy’s precision missile strike, the statement says.
The small missile ships accomplished all the combat assignments in severe weather conditions in a stormy sea. The area of artillery firings was closed for shipping and flights for the time of the drills.
After accomplishing their combat training missions, the small missile ships Aisberg and Rassvet returned to their home station of Polyarny in the Kola Bay, the press office added.
The Aisberg and the Rassvet are the Project 1234.1 (Ovod-1) missile corvettes designated to fight potential enemy ships in inland seas and in the coastal zone. The warships are armed with Malakhit anti-ship cruise missiles, AK-176 and AK-630 artillery guns, Osa-MA surface-to-air missile launchers and electronic warfare systems.
The missile corvettes can operate both as part of a naval task force and solely.


tass--2020-04-17--Kremlin welcomes India’s plan to provide medicines to combat coronavirus to Russia

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
The Indian authorities ’ decision to provide Russia with medicines to combat the coronavirus is in line with the spirit of partnership between the two countries , Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday .
`` Moscow is pleased with the Indian government ’ s decision to send a shipment of medicines to combat the coronavirus to Russia , and is grateful for it , '' he pointed out .
`` We consider our Indian colleagues ’ decision to be an effective step to implement the agreements on cooperation in the fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached in a telephone call on March 25 , '' Peskov added .
`` Moscow understands perfectly well that India , which is also facing tough times due to the pandemic threat , has made this decision based on the spirit of partnership between the two countries , '' the Russian presidential spokesman emphasized .
Russian Ambassador to India Nikolai Kuvashev told reporters earlier on Friday that India would provide Russia with medicines for the treatment of coronavirus patients .
According to him , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ambassador added that the medicines were expected to be delivered to Russia in late April or in early May .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. The Indian authorities’ decision to provide Russia with medicines to combat the coronavirus is in line with the spirit of partnership between the two countries, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.
"Moscow is pleased with the Indian government’s decision to send a shipment of medicines to combat the coronavirus to Russia, and is grateful for it," he pointed out.
"We consider our Indian colleagues’ decision to be an effective step to implement the agreements on cooperation in the fight against the new infection that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached in a telephone call on March 25," Peskov added.
"Moscow understands perfectly well that India, which is also facing tough times due to the pandemic threat, has made this decision based on the spirit of partnership between the two countries," the Russian presidential spokesman emphasized.
Russian Ambassador to India Nikolai Kuvashev told reporters earlier on Friday that India would provide Russia with medicines for the treatment of coronavirus patients. According to him, the shipment will particularly include paracetamol and hydroxychloroquine. The ambassador added that the medicines were expected to be delivered to Russia in late April or in early May.


tass--2020-04-17--Some 12% of medics infected with coronavirus in Serbia, epidemiologist says

BELGRADE , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
About 600 medical employees in Serbia have contracted the coronavirus , which makes about 12 % of all medics in the country , says Predrag Kon , a Serbian epidemiologist and a member of the national coronavirus anti-crisis center .
`` In Europe , the rate of infected medics is between 10 % and 26 % .
I am far from boasting with the 12 % result , but we are lucky that the virus did not strike us immediately and we had time to provide protection gear , '' the medic said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procurement of protective gear , adding that this gear is in high demand for the medical personnel .
The epidemiologists underscored the need for a reserve of means of personal protection , adding that the country has proven itself not ready for a global epidemic .
`` Still , we have reacted fast , we had protective gear shipped first from China , and then from Russia , '' the medic concluded .
There are 5,318 people who have contracted the virus in Serbia .
The number of fatalities grew to 103 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its borders off entirely , and introduced a state of emergency and a curfew .
People above 65 are prohibited from leaving home .
Earlier , Serbia asked Russia for assistance with fighting the epidemic .
Russian military planes delivered 87 military medics and other specialists , specialized medical equipment , vehicles and protective gear .
The Russian servicemen have commenced their work in the capital city of Belgrade , as well as in a number of other cities and have already decontaminated hundreds of thousands of square meters of main medical centers @ @ @

BELGRADE, April 17. /TASS/. About 600 medical employees in Serbia have contracted the coronavirus, which makes about 12% of all medics in the country, says Predrag Kon, a Serbian epidemiologist and a member of the national coronavirus anti-crisis center.
"In Europe, the rate of infected medics is between 10% and 26%. I am far from boasting with the 12% result, but we are lucky that the virus did not strike us immediately and we had time to provide protection gear," the medic said.
He praised the government for prompt procurement of protective gear, adding that this gear is in high demand for the medical personnel. The epidemiologists underscored the need for a reserve of means of personal protection, adding that the country has proven itself not ready for a global epidemic.
"Still, we have reacted fast, we had protective gear shipped first from China, and then from Russia," the medic concluded.
There are 5,318 people who have contracted the virus in Serbia. The number of fatalities grew to 103.
Due to the pandemic, Serbia shut its borders off entirely, and introduced a state of emergency and a curfew. People above 65 are prohibited from leaving home.
Earlier, Serbia asked Russia for assistance with fighting the epidemic. Russian military planes delivered 87 military medics and other specialists, specialized medical equipment, vehicles and protective gear. The Russian servicemen have commenced their work in the capital city of Belgrade, as well as in a number of other cities and have already decontaminated hundreds of thousands of square meters of main medical centers’ area.


tass--2020-04-17--US labs in third countries may be developing pathogenic agents — diplomat

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Works on the development of dangerous pathogenic agents may be conducted at US @ @ @ @ @ , Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday .
The Russian Foreign Ministry @ @ @ @ @ notes the United States ’ bigger biological presence beyond its borders , in particular in @ @ @ @ @ We can not rule out that the Americans use such reference laboratories in third countries @ @ @ @ @ pathogenic agents , including in military purposes , '' she commented .
The diplomat recalled @ @ @ @ @ for Public Health Research in Tbilisi , a Georgia-based US biological laboratory , is an @ @ @ @ @ military system of global infectious diseases control .
`` Moreover , according to recent reports @ @ @ @ @ recently visited it to offer the Georgian authorities to expand the range of research , @ @ @ @ @ Naturally , we can not ignore the fact that the Americans are developing an infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ the direct proximity to the Russian borders , '' Zakharova stressed .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Works on the development of dangerous pathogenic agents may be conducted at US laboratories outside the United States, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, in her words, notes the United States’ bigger biological presence beyond its borders, in particular in former Soviet republics.
"We cannot rule out that the Americans use such reference laboratories in third countries to develop and modify various pathogenic agents, including in military purposes," she commented.
The diplomat recalled that the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research in Tbilisi, a Georgia-based US biological laboratory, is an official part of the US military system of global infectious diseases control. "Moreover, according to recent reports, top-ranking Pentagon officials have recently visited it to offer the Georgian authorities to expand the range of research," she noted.
"Naturally, we cannot ignore the fact that the Americans are developing an infrastructure with hazardous biological potential in the direct proximity to the Russian borders," Zakharova stressed.


tass--2020-04-17--Putin, Macron discuss minimizing negative economic consequences of pandemic

MOSCOW , April 17 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed on the phone measures aimed at minimizing the negative socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic , the Kremlin ’ s press service reported adding that the telephone conversation was initiated by the French side .
`` When exchanging views on the situation linked with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic , the heads of state informed each other about measures , which are being taken in Russia and France to minimize negative socio-economic consequences , '' the press service said .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helping France with the return of French citizens to their homeland and ensuring conditions for shipments of medical supplies and equipment through Russia to France , '' the press service added .
The parties expressed their intention to maintain the pace of developing bilateral cooperation and stressed the importance of the established contact between the heads of government of the two states , the press service added .
The two leaders also touched upon some other issues on the international agenda , including the settlement of the internal Ukrainian conflict .
On April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a telephone conversation with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe .
In particular , they discussed cooperation between health ministries of the two states on develpment of medicines and vaccines against the coronavirus .
Mishustin also invited his counterpart to visit Russia after all the current restrictions are removed .

MOSCOW, April 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed on the phone measures aimed at minimizing the negative socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, the Kremlin’s press service reported adding that the telephone conversation was initiated by the French side.
"When exchanging views on the situation linked with the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the heads of state informed each other about measures, which are being taken in Russia and France to minimize negative socio-economic consequences," the press service said.
During the conversation Macron thanked Putin for "helping France with the return of French citizens to their homeland and ensuring conditions for shipments of medical supplies and equipment through Russia to France," the press service added.
The parties expressed their intention to maintain the pace of developing bilateral cooperation and stressed the importance of the established contact between the heads of government of the two states, the press service added. The two leaders also touched upon some other issues on the international agenda, including the settlement of the internal Ukrainian conflict.
On April 14, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin held a telephone conversation with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. In particular, they discussed cooperation between health ministries of the two states on develpment of medicines and vaccines against the coronavirus. Mishustin also invited his counterpart to visit Russia after all the current restrictions are removed.


tass--2020-04-17--Russian diplomat blasts US sanctions threat for delayed evacuation of citizens

The high-ranking diplomat noted that so far , not much is known about this memorandum .
`` We are currently making sense of it , '' he said .
`` Some politicized claims can be made , of course , however , we see them solely as claims that do not correspond to the practical aspect of things .
This is how we will react to further development of the measures behind this signal from the White House that you have mentioned , '' Ryabkov said , commenting on the memorandum of US President Donald Trump , which threatens to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refuse to evacuate their citizens from the US or that are stalling this process in the conditions of a pandemic .
`` We can see that in the past weeks , Washington has sent out rather confusing and contradictory signals , '' Ryabkov continued .
`` There is a certain intention to shift responsibility for what is happening in the US on others , to find a foreign enemy , to try and divert the attention of the US public and the international community , at least the part of it that traditionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to some ‘ shenanigans , ’ '' he said .
The deputy foreign minister stressed that Russia is doing everything in its power to ensure that all Russian citizens abroad who express a wish to return home can do so .
`` We are working 24/7 , this is not an exaggeration .
With no days-off .
The foreign ministry is giving the utmost attention to this in cooperation with other executive bodies , and we will continue to do so , '' Ryabkov added .
It was reported on April 11 that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to introduce visa sanctions against states that refuse to evacuate their citizens from the US or that are stalling this process during the coronavirus pandemic .
The US secretary of homeland security must provide a list of such countries to the US secretary of state .
After that , the US Department of State must introduce visa sanctions against those states within a 7-day period .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

The high-ranking diplomat noted that so far, not much is known about this memorandum. "We are currently making sense of it," he said.
"Some politicized claims can be made, of course, however, we see them solely as claims that do not correspond to the practical aspect of things. This is how we will react to further development of the measures behind this signal from the White House that you have mentioned," Ryabkov said, commenting on the memorandum of US President Donald Trump, which threatens to introduce visa sanctions against foreign countries that refuse to evacuate their citizens from the US or that are stalling this process in the conditions of a pandemic.
"We can see that in the past weeks, Washington has sent out rather confusing and contradictory signals," Ryabkov continued. "There is a certain intention to shift responsibility for what is happening in the US on others, to find a foreign enemy, to try and divert the attention of the US public and the international community, at least the part of it that traditionally closely follows all signals from Washington, to some ‘shenanigans,’" he said.
The deputy foreign minister stressed that Russia is doing everything in its power to ensure that all Russian citizens abroad who express a wish to return home can do so. "We are working 24/7, this is not an exaggeration. With no days-off. The foreign ministry is giving the utmost attention to this in cooperation with other executive bodies, and we will continue to do so," Ryabkov added.
It was reported on April 11 that Trump had signed a memorandum which rules to introduce visa sanctions against states that refuse to evacuate their citizens from the US or that are stalling this process during the coronavirus pandemic. The US secretary of homeland security must provide a list of such countries to the US secretary of state. After that, the US Department of State must introduce visa sanctions against those states within a 7-day period.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-18--Coronavirus spread slows down in Moscow Region - governor

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
The growth of new coronavirus cases in the Moscow Region is gradually slowing down , Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said in an interview with the 360 TV Channel on Saturday .
`` We see that the growth of identified coronavirus cases is slowing down while we are increasing the number of tests .
As of today , the growth totaled 12 % compared to yesterday .
The growth amounted to 15 % yesterday and 18 % the day before yesterday , '' the regional governor said .
The Moscow Region governor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rejoice at this news .
`` If we continue this systemic work and carry out all the measures stipulated in our decrees and recommendations together with residents , we can count on the success , '' he stressed .
The Moscow Region has registered 428 new coronavirus cases over the past twenty-four hours and their total number in the region has climbed to almost 4,000 people .
To date , a total of 36,793 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia , with 3,057 patients having recovered from the virus .
Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide .
Earlier , the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation .

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. The growth of new coronavirus cases in the Moscow Region is gradually slowing down, Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov said in an interview with the 360 TV Channel on Saturday.
"We see that the growth of identified coronavirus cases is slowing down while we are increasing the number of tests. As of today, the growth totaled 12% compared to yesterday. The growth amounted to 15% yesterday and 18% the day before yesterday," the regional governor said.
The Moscow Region governor said, however, it was still early to rejoice at this news. "If we continue this systemic work and carry out all the measures stipulated in our decrees and recommendations together with residents, we can count on the success," he stressed.
The Moscow Region has registered 428 new coronavirus cases over the past twenty-four hours and their total number in the region has climbed to almost 4,000 people.
To date, a total of 36,793 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Russia, with 3,057 patients having recovered from the virus. Russia’s latest data indicates 313 fatalities nationwide. Earlier, the Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.


tass--2020-04-18--Coronavirus cases in Russia surpass 36,700

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Russia has grown by 4,785 over the past twenty-four hours to 36,793 in all the country ’ s regions , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Saturday .
`` Russia has registered 36,793 coronavirus cases by the progressive total method in 85 regions ( +15 % ) .
A total of 467 people have recovered from the illness and been discharged from hospitals over the past twenty-four hours and 3,057 over the entire period .
A total of 40 coronavirus patients have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire period , 313 people have died across Russia , '' the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported .
Moscow has registered 2,649 new coronavirus cases and their total number in the Russian capital has climbed to 20,754 , the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,250,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 154,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 575,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe .

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. The number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Russia has grown by 4,785 over the past twenty-four hours to 36,793 in all the country’s regions, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Saturday.
"Russia has registered 36,793 coronavirus cases by the progressive total method in 85 regions (+15%). A total of 467 people have recovered from the illness and been discharged from hospitals over the past twenty-four hours and 3,057 over the entire period. A total of 40 coronavirus patients have died over the past twenty-four hours. Over the entire period, 313 people have died across Russia," the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported.
Moscow has registered 2,649 new coronavirus cases and their total number in the Russian capital has climbed to 20,754, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,250,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 154,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 575,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.


tass--2020-04-18--Russian doctors cure 15 patients of coronavirus in Italy’s Bergamo

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
Russian doctors , who are helping Italy to tackle the novel coronavirus outbreak , have already cured 15 patients in the Italian city of Bergamo , the Russian Defense Ministry said on its website on Saturday .
`` Since the start of the effort , a total of 54 patients have been admitted , 39 of them are still being treated .
15 persons have recovered and have already been discharged from the hospital , '' the statement quoted deputy commander of Russian radiation , chemical and biological defense troops , Sergei Kikot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official , special attention is paid to protecting the Russian specialists from coronavirus .
They regularly pass tests for novel coronavirus at a multifunctional mobile lab .
Under the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin , on March 22-25 , the Russian Defense Ministry sent 15 military jets to Italy that transported virologists , epidemiologists and the necessary equipment to the country .
According to the ministry , the group includes specialists who directly took part in fighting outbreaks of African swine fever , as well as developing vaccines against Ebola and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations for aerosol disinfection of transport and territories and medical equipment .
Russian military experts have been stationed in the town of Bergamo ( Lombardy ) , one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy with a record number of infections and deaths in the country .

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. Russian doctors, who are helping Italy to tackle the novel coronavirus outbreak, have already cured 15 patients in the Italian city of Bergamo, the Russian Defense Ministry said on its website on Saturday.
"Since the start of the effort, a total of 54 patients have been admitted, 39 of them are still being treated. 15 persons have recovered and have already been discharged from the hospital," the statement quoted deputy commander of Russian radiation, chemical and biological defense troops, Sergei Kikot, as saying.
According to the official, special attention is paid to protecting the Russian specialists from coronavirus. They regularly pass tests for novel coronavirus at a multifunctional mobile lab.
Under the order of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on March 22-25, the Russian Defense Ministry sent 15 military jets to Italy that transported virologists, epidemiologists and the necessary equipment to the country. According to the ministry, the group includes specialists who directly took part in fighting outbreaks of African swine fever, as well as developing vaccines against Ebola and the plague. The planes also delivered mobile stations for aerosol disinfection of transport and territories and medical equipment.
Russian military experts have been stationed in the town of Bergamo (Lombardy), one of the epicenters of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy with a record number of infections and deaths in the country.


tass--2020-04-18--Pilot error, technical failure likely causes of light plane’s crash in Russian Far East

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
A pilot error and a technical failure are seen as possible causes of @ @ @ @ @ crash in the Khabarovsk Region in the Russian Far East , the law-enforcement agencies told @ @ @ @ @ L-4 light plane crashed earlier on Friday near the village of Lesnoye in Russia ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` A pilot error and a technical fault are being considered among the versions @ @ @ @ @ s crash , '' the law-enforcement agencies said .
The body of the fourth person @ @ @ @ @ ’ s debris , the local administration told TASS .
Previous reports said that three @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The body of the fourth person was found under the plane ’ s @ @ @ @ @ identities are being established , '' the local administration said .

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. A pilot error and a technical failure are seen as possible causes of a light plane’s crash in the Khabarovsk Region in the Russian Far East, the law-enforcement agencies told TASS on Saturday.
An L-4 light plane crashed earlier on Friday near the village of Lesnoye in Russia’s Far Eastern Khabarovsk region.
"A pilot error and a technical fault are being considered among the versions of the private plane’s crash," the law-enforcement agencies said.
The body of the fourth person was recovered from the plane’s debris, the local administration told TASS.
Previous reports said that three people died in the crash.
"The body of the fourth person was found under the plane’s debris. The persons’ identities are being established," the local administration said.


tass--2020-04-18--Acting deputy head of Siberia’s Khakassia region detained for bribery

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
Acting deputy head of Siberia 's Khakassia region Sergei Novikov has been detained for bribery , Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said on Saturday .
`` The investigative bodies of the Russian Investigative Committee ’ s Main Investigation Department for the Krasnoyarsk Region and the Republic of Khakassia have opened a criminal case against acting deputy head of the Republic of Khakassia Sergei Novikov .
He was detained red-handed .
The investigation intends to request a court of law to order to take him into custody as a measure of restraint , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state contract worth over 480 million rubles ( $ 7.3 million ) was signed between the republican Capital Construction Company and a contractual organization to build the second stage of the accommodation block of the Tuimsky psychoneurologic boarding facility as part of implementing the national project .
As the investigators say , Novikov demanded a bribe of no less than 12 million rubles ( $ 185,000 ) from a representative of the contractor for his patronage in the company ’ s activities and for his assistance in resolving the issue of signing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transferring funds for the work done .
`` On April 17 , 2020 , upon his personal encounter with the contractor ’ s representative in Abakan , Novikov received a bribe of 2 million rubles ( $ 27,000 ) from him as a partial money reward , '' the spokeswoman said .

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. Acting deputy head of Siberia's Khakassia region Sergei Novikov has been detained for bribery, Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said on Saturday.
"The investigative bodies of the Russian Investigative Committee’s Main Investigation Department for the Krasnoyarsk Region and the Republic of Khakassia have opened a criminal case against acting deputy head of the Republic of Khakassia Sergei Novikov. He was detained red-handed. The investigation intends to request a court of law to order to take him into custody as a measure of restraint," the spokeswoman said
In December 2019, a state contract worth over 480 million rubles ($7.3 million) was signed between the republican Capital Construction Company and a contractual organization to build the second stage of the accommodation block of the Tuimsky psychoneurologic boarding facility as part of implementing the national project.
As the investigators say, Novikov demanded a bribe of no less than 12 million rubles ($185,000) from a representative of the contractor for his patronage in the company’s activities and for his assistance in resolving the issue of signing the contract, accepting works and timely transferring funds for the work done.
"On April 17, 2020, upon his personal encounter with the contractor’s representative in Abakan, Novikov received a bribe of 2 million rubles ($27,000) from him as a partial money reward," the spokeswoman said.


tass--2020-04-18--Light aircraft crashes in Russia’s Far East

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
A light aircraft crashed during a training flight near the village of Lesnoye @ @ @ @ @ Eastern Khabarovsk region , killing three people on board , an emergency source told TASS @ @ @ @ @ L-4 light aircraft crashed while performing a training flight .
It had three people on @ @ @ @ @ information , they died , '' the source said .
At present , emergency services @ @ @ @ @ .
The cause of the accident is being established .
The information was confirmed to @ @ @ @ @ s deputy government chair in charge of the fuel and energy sector and utilities , @ @ @ @ @ the plane fell about 60 km away from the Kalinka airfield .
According to the @ @ @ @ @ aircraft caught fire when it crashed , but it was put out promptly .
A @ @ @ @ @ said the L-4 plane had been performing a commercial flight at the time of the @ @

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. A light aircraft crashed during a training flight near the village of Lesnoye in Russia’s Far Eastern Khabarovsk region, killing three people on board, an emergency source told TASS on Saturday.
"An L-4 light aircraft crashed while performing a training flight. It had three people on board. According to preliminary information, they died," the source said.
At present, emergency services are working at the scene. The cause of the accident is being established.
The information was confirmed to TASS by the region’s deputy government chair in charge of the fuel and energy sector and utilities, Anatoly Litvinchuk. He said the plane fell about 60 km away from the Kalinka airfield.
According to the Khabarovsk region administration, the aircraft caught fire when it crashed, but it was put out promptly. A spokesperson for the regional authorities said the L-4 plane had been performing a commercial flight at the time of the accident.


tass--2020-04-18--US investigates origins of novel coronavirus pandemic — Trump

WASHINGTON , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
The United States has been looking into the origins of the novel coronavirus pandemic and the pathogen itself , US President Donald Trump told reporters in the White House .
`` We are looking out at it , a lot of people are looking out at it .
It seems , it makes sense , '' he said .
`` A lot of strange things were happening , but there is a lot of investigation going on , and we are going to find out , '' Trump said , when asked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the deadly virus leaking from a laboratory near the Chinese city of Wuhan .
`` All that I can say that whatever it came from , it came from China , in whatever form .
184 countries now are suffering because of that .
And it ’ s too bad , isn ’ t it ? ''
US chief epidemiologist Anthony Fauci , who was asked to comment on the version about the artificial origin of the virus later during the briefing , dismissed this information .
`` There was a study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , where a group of highly qualified evolutionary virologists looked at the sequences there , the sequences in bats as they evolve , and the mutations that it took to get to the point where it is now is totally consistent with the jump of a species from animal to human , '' he said .
Earlier , US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said he expected the Chinese authorities to allow foreign experts to the lab in Wuhan , which , as some of the US media claim , could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Claims that the novel coronavirus was artificially created in a lab are baseless , Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Thursday , April 16 , commenting on the reports of the US TV channel Fox News claiming that an employee of the Wuhan Institute of Virology Lab was the `` patient zero '' of the novel coronavirus .

WASHINGTON, April 18. /TASS/. The United States has been looking into the origins of the novel coronavirus pandemic and the pathogen itself, US President Donald Trump told reporters in the White House.
"We are looking out at it, a lot of people are looking out at it. It seems, it makes sense," he said.
"A lot of strange things were happening, but there is a lot of investigation going on, and we are going to find out," Trump said, when asked to comment on the likelihood of a scenario of the deadly virus leaking from a laboratory near the Chinese city of Wuhan. "All that I can say that whatever it came from, it came from China, in whatever form. 184 countries now are suffering because of that. And it’s too bad, isn’t it?"
US chief epidemiologist Anthony Fauci, who was asked to comment on the version about the artificial origin of the virus later during the briefing, dismissed this information.
"There was a study recently that we can make available to you, where a group of highly qualified evolutionary virologists looked at the sequences there, the sequences in bats as they evolve, and the mutations that it took to get to the point where it is now is totally consistent with the jump of a species from animal to human," he said.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said he expected the Chinese authorities to allow foreign experts to the lab in Wuhan, which, as some of the US media claim, could be the starting point for the infection.
Claims that the novel coronavirus was artificially created in a lab are baseless, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Thursday, April 16, commenting on the reports of the US TV channel Fox News claiming that an employee of the Wuhan Institute of Virology Lab was the "patient zero" of the novel coronavirus.


tass--2020-04-18--Trump projects overall novel coronavirus death toll in US at 60,000-65,000

WASHINGTON , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
The overall death toll of the novel coronavirus in the United States is currently projected at approximately 60,000-65,000 people , US President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday .
`` Look at the possible number of deaths , 2.2 million people , '' he said during a White House media briefing .
`` A minimum , if we did nothing , could have been 1.6 million .
< … > But we did a lot of work . ''
In his words , efforts taken by the US authorities allowed to revise the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 and 220,000-240,000 on the upside . ''
`` I think we would be substantially , hopefully , below the 100,000 number .
I think right now we are heading at probably around 60,000 , maybe 65,000 , '' Trump said .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
According to the latest statistics , over 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported .
In addition , so far , over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus-related fatalities on the US territory has reached 36,721 , according to the John Hopkins University ’ s data .
By this point , over 692,000 people in the US were diagnosed with COVID-19 .

WASHINGTON, April 18. /TASS/. The overall death toll of the novel coronavirus in the United States is currently projected at approximately 60,000-65,000 people, US President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday.
"Look at the possible number of deaths, 2.2 million people," he said during a White House media briefing. "A minimum, if we did nothing, could have been 1.6 million. <…> But we did a lot of work."
In his words, efforts taken by the US authorities allowed to revise the projected death toll downward to "between 100,000 and 220,000-240,000 on the upside."
"I think we would be substantially, hopefully, below the 100,000 number. I think right now we are heading at probably around 60,000, maybe 65,000," Trump said.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2,190,000 people have been infected worldwide and more than 147,000 deaths have been reported. In addition, so far, over 553,000 individuals have recovered from the illness across the globe.
The number of the coronavirus-related fatalities on the US territory has reached 36,721, according to the John Hopkins University’s data. By this point, over 692,000 people in the US were diagnosed with COVID-19.


tass--2020-04-18--Acting deputy head of Siberia’s Khakassia region detained on suspicion of bribery

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
Acting deputy head of Siberia 's Khakassia region Sergei Novikov has been detained @ @ @ @ @ the regional government ’ s press service said on Saturday .
`` The acting deputy @ @ @ @ @ and Utilities Minister Sergei Novikov has been detained in [ Khakassia ’ s administrative center @ @ @ @ @ suspected of bribery , '' the press service said in a statement .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ .
Investigative actions are under way at present , '' the statement says .

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. Acting deputy head of Siberia's Khakassia region Sergei Novikov has been detained on suspicion of bribery, the regional government’s press service said on Saturday.
"The acting deputy head of Khakassia, Construction and Utilities Minister Sergei Novikov has been detained in [Khakassia’s administrative center] Abakan. He is suspected of bribery," the press service said in a statement.
"A criminal case has been launched. Investigative actions are under way at present," the statement says.


tass--2020-04-18--When created, coronavirus vaccine must be available for everyone — UN head

UNITED NATIONS , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
Once created , a vaccine against the novel coronavirus should be treated @ @ @ @ @ good '' and be accessible to everyone , UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said .
@ @ @ @ @ coalition to develop a COVID19 vaccine , which must become available and affordable for everyone @ @ @ @ @ UN chief wrote in a Twitter post .
`` It must be considered a global @ @ @ @ @ late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about @ @ @ @ @ unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , @ @ @ @ @ - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the @ @ @ @ @ On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ , over 2.2 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 120,000 deaths have @ @ @

UNITED NATIONS, April 18. /TASS/. Once created, a vaccine against the novel coronavirus should be treated as "a global public good" and be accessible to everyone, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.
"We need a global coalition to develop a COVID19 vaccine, which must become available and affordable for everyone, everywhere," the UN chief wrote in a Twitter post. "It must be considered a global public good."
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia.
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. According to the latest statistics, over 2.2 million people have been infected worldwide and more than 120,000 deaths have been reported.


tass--2020-04-18--Czech foreign ministry expresses protest over rally outside consulate in St. Petersburg

PRAGUE , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Czech Republic has expressed its protest over a rally , organized by the left-wing radical organization the Other Russia outside its Consulate General in St. Petersburg on April 16 , ministry spokesperson Zuzana Stichova told reporters on Friday .
`` A diplomatic note has been sent to the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the incident outside the Czech Republic ’ s Consulate General in St. Petersburg , '' she said .
`` The [ Russian ] police did not inform the Consul General about measures taken with regard to that incident . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ banner with an offensive slogan to the consulate ’ s fence and ignited smoke pellets outside the building .
The protest was triggered by the decision to tear down the monument to Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev , made by municipal authorities of the Prague-6 district .
Stichova said that a similar gathering , organized by members of the same organization , took place outside the Czech Embassy in Moscow on April 5 .
Then , the republic ’ s Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the Russian authorities would prevent other such incidents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ down from its pedestal by the decision of municipal authorities of the Prague-6 district on April 3 .
The authorities say that it is planned to be showcased in the ‘ Museum of the 20th century ’ in the future , with the Prague City Hall expected to allocate funds to mount it .
So far there has been little clarity what kind of museum it will be and when it will be opened .
Meanwhile , the monument ’ s pedestal is also expected to be taken down .
The move was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former president Vaclav Klaus , as well as veterans , political and public figures , civil activists and ordinary people .

PRAGUE, April 18. /TASS/. The Czech Republic has expressed its protest over a rally, organized by the left-wing radical organization the Other Russia outside its Consulate General in St. Petersburg on April 16, ministry spokesperson Zuzana Stichova told reporters on Friday.
"A diplomatic note has been sent to the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the incident outside the Czech Republic’s Consulate General in St. Petersburg," she said. "The [Russian] police did not inform the Consul General about measures taken with regard to that incident."
According to Stichova, participants attached a banner with an offensive slogan to the consulate’s fence and ignited smoke pellets outside the building.
The protest was triggered by the decision to tear down the monument to Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev, made by municipal authorities of the Prague-6 district.
Stichova said that a similar gathering, organized by members of the same organization, took place outside the Czech Embassy in Moscow on April 5. Then, the republic’s Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the Russian authorities would prevent other such incidents.
The monument to Marshal Konev was taken down from its pedestal by the decision of municipal authorities of the Prague-6 district on April 3. The authorities say that it is planned to be showcased in the ‘Museum of the 20th century’ in the future, with the Prague City Hall expected to allocate funds to mount it. So far there has been little clarity what kind of museum it will be and when it will be opened. Meanwhile, the monument’s pedestal is also expected to be taken down.
The move was condemned by Czech President Milos Zeman, former president Vaclav Klaus, as well as veterans, political and public figures, civil activists and ordinary people.


tass--2020-04-18--US uses questionable approaches to designating terrorists — Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
Washington uses questionable approaches while designating certain entities as terrorist organizations and adding them to relevant lists , and this fact is also confirmed by domestic US experts , the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Friday .
The Russian Foreign Ministry referred to a report , issued by the US-based non-governmental organization Anti-Defamation League and the George Washington University , headlined ‘ White Supremacist Terror : Modernizing our Approach to Today ’ s Threat.
’ The experts named Ukraine ’ s nationalist organization , the Azov Battalion , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a terrorist organization by the United States .
`` According to the report , this Ukrainian group presents an evident threat and fully complies with criteria of the blacklist of foreign terrorist organizations , '' the ministry said .
`` Estonian ultra-right group , Feuerkrieg Division , which has many US citizens in its ranks , is also mentioned in this context , as well as many others . ''
However , the US government has not yet paid attention to the opinion of experts .
`` Regretfully , as we see , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on habitual media-political manipulation and proverbial double standards , '' the ministry said .
`` Conclusions of experts , who undertook to lay down recommendations , including with regard to expanding lists of terrorists , and Washington ’ s reaction to them , once again raise serious doubts about motives of the US side , which brazenly uses its self-proclaimed authority to impose sanctions under the pretext of fighting global terrorism and extremism , '' the ministry said .
The US Congress recommended including the Azov Battalion into the list of terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. Washington uses questionable approaches while designating certain entities as terrorist organizations and adding them to relevant lists, and this fact is also confirmed by domestic US experts, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Friday.
The Russian Foreign Ministry referred to a report, issued by the US-based non-governmental organization Anti-Defamation League and the George Washington University, headlined ‘White Supremacist Terror: Modernizing our Approach to Today’s Threat.’ The experts named Ukraine’s nationalist organization, the Azov Battalion, as the main candidate for becoming designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.
"According to the report, this Ukrainian group presents an evident threat and fully complies with criteria of the blacklist of foreign terrorist organizations," the ministry said. "Estonian ultra-right group, Feuerkrieg Division, which has many US citizens in its ranks, is also mentioned in this context, as well as many others."
However, the US government has not yet paid attention to the opinion of experts.
"Regretfully, as we see, Washington is guided by another approach, based on habitual media-political manipulation and proverbial double standards," the ministry said.
"Conclusions of experts, who undertook to lay down recommendations, including with regard to expanding lists of terrorists, and Washington’s reaction to them, once again raise serious doubts about motives of the US side, which brazenly uses its self-proclaimed authority to impose sanctions under the pretext of fighting global terrorism and extremism," the ministry said.
The US Congress recommended including the Azov Battalion into the list of terrorist organizations in the fall of 2019.


tass--2020-04-18--Moldova, Russia sign deal on 200-million-euro loan - President Dodon

CHISINAU , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
Moldova has signed an agreement to receive a loan of 200 million euro from Russia , Moldovan President Igor Dodon said on his Facebook page on Friday .
`` Moldovan Ambassador to Russia Andrei Neguta signed a loan agreement with top officials of the Russian Finance Ministry .
The document envisages issuing the first installment of the 200-million-euro loan to our country , '' the president said , adding that `` it was the first concrete financial assistance '' that Moldova received from its partners in connection with the current crisis .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s state budget , to cover the country ’ s needs , including infrastructure projects , '' he said .
Dodon thanked Russian partners and personally Russian President Vladimir Putin for the aid .
The text of the agreement , which is yet to be ratified by the Moldovan parliament , says that `` the first installment of 100 million euro [ will be provided ] no later than 30 days since the agreement enters force , < ... > the second installment of 100 million euro - no later than October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The money will be allocated `` for budgetary support goals '' for a period of 10 years , with an annual interest rate of 2 % .
Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu said that due to the current crisis , triggered by the novel coronavirus outbreak , the country ’ s state budget deficit is expected to grow to approximately 825 million euro , or 7.5 % of the country ’ s GDP .

CHISINAU, April 18. /TASS/. Moldova has signed an agreement to receive a loan of 200 million euro from Russia, Moldovan President Igor Dodon said on his Facebook page on Friday.
"Moldovan Ambassador to Russia Andrei Neguta signed a loan agreement with top officials of the Russian Finance Ministry. The document envisages issuing the first installment of the 200-million-euro loan to our country," the president said, adding that "it was the first concrete financial assistance" that Moldova received from its partners in connection with the current crisis.
"The funds will be directed to Moldova’s state budget, to cover the country’s needs, including infrastructure projects," he said.
Dodon thanked Russian partners and personally Russian President Vladimir Putin for the aid.
The text of the agreement, which is yet to be ratified by the Moldovan parliament, says that "the first installment of 100 million euro [will be provided] no later than 30 days since the agreement enters force, <...> the second installment of 100 million euro - no later than October 31, 2020," says.
The money will be allocated "for budgetary support goals" for a period of 10 years, with an annual interest rate of 2%.
Moldovan Prime Minister Ion Chicu said that due to the current crisis, triggered by the novel coronavirus outbreak, the country’s state budget deficit is expected to grow to approximately 825 million euro, or 7.5% of the country’s GDP.


tass--2020-04-18--Russian diplomats request info about coronavirus in prison where Russian inmates are kept

NEW YORK , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
The Russian Consulate General in New York said it had requested the administration of the Danbury prison in Connecticut , where Russian citizens Konstantin Yaroshenko and Bogdana Osipova ( Mobley ) are being kept , to provide information about a possible coronavirus outbreak in the facility .
In a statement posted on its Facebook page , the consulate said it was `` conducting a probe '' into reports that Konstantin Yaroshenko has developed symptoms of the novel coronavirus while in detention .
The diplomats said they had sent `` an official request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' asking `` to provide information about the spread of the coronavirus infection in the prison and about the health of our compatriot . ''
The statement says that neither Yaroshenko nor Osipova requested any assistance from the Consulate General .
`` We keep the situation under control , take the necessary steps to protect the interests of Russian citizens in detention , '' the Russian diplomats said .
After a conversation with Yaroshenko on Thursday , his attorney Alexei Tarasov told TASS his client `` has all the symptoms of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure absolutely all inmates have caught the coronavirus , '' Tarasov said .
On Friday , Russia ’ s embassy to the United States has requested an extra medical examination of Yaroshenko , who is serving a 20-year prison term in the US prison .
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States in September 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison .
The pilot was clandestinely transferred to the United States from Liberia , where he had been arrested in May 2010 .
Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal intention to transport a large batch of cocaine .
He pleaded not guilty , condemning his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as an utter set-up .
Thirty-eight year-old Bogdana Osipova , known by her ex-husband ’ s name Mobley in the US court documents , has dual ( Russian and American ) citizenship .
She has three underage children , among them younger girls from her ex-spouse Brian Mobley .
On June 6 , a US federal court in Wichita , Kansas , sentenced Osipova to 84 months in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her daughter to Russia and demanding money before allowing the American father to have custody of the girl .
`` .

NEW YORK, April 18. /TASS/. The Russian Consulate General in New York said it had requested the administration of the Danbury prison in Connecticut, where Russian citizens Konstantin Yaroshenko and Bogdana Osipova (Mobley) are being kept, to provide information about a possible coronavirus outbreak in the facility.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the consulate said it was "conducting a probe" into reports that Konstantin Yaroshenko has developed symptoms of the novel coronavirus while in detention.
The diplomats said they had sent "an official request to the administration of the penitentiary facility," asking "to provide information about the spread of the coronavirus infection in the prison and about the health of our compatriot."
The statement says that neither Yaroshenko nor Osipova requested any assistance from the Consulate General.
"We keep the situation under control, take the necessary steps to protect the interests of Russian citizens in detention," the Russian diplomats said.
After a conversation with Yaroshenko on Thursday, his attorney Alexei Tarasov told TASS his client "has all the symptoms of a coronavirus infection." "He is sure absolutely all inmates have caught the coronavirus," Tarasov said.
On Friday, Russia’s embassy to the United States has requested an extra medical examination of Yaroshenko, who is serving a 20-year prison term in the US prison.
Konstantin Yaroshenko was convicted in the United States in September 2011 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The pilot was clandestinely transferred to the United States from Liberia, where he had been arrested in May 2010. Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration operating under cover allegedly exposed Yaroshenko’s criminal intention to transport a large batch of cocaine. He pleaded not guilty, condemning his arrest as a provocation and the whole case as an utter set-up.
Thirty-eight year-old Bogdana Osipova, known by her ex-husband’s name Mobley in the US court documents, has dual (Russian and American) citizenship. She has three underage children, among them younger girls from her ex-spouse Brian Mobley. On June 6, a US federal court in Wichita, Kansas, sentenced Osipova to 84 months in a federal prison for "unlawfully taking her daughter to Russia and demanding money before allowing the American father to have custody of the girl.".


tass--2020-04-18--Moscow healthcare has all capacities for at least two weeks — mayor

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
Moscow ’ s healthcare system has enough capacities for at least two weeks , and the required `` margin of endurance , '' Moscow ’ s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said .
`` The primary task for us today is to ensure the healthcare system ’ s margin of endurance for the foreseeable perspective .
For now , this has been accomplished .
Today we can see that we certainly have additional capacities for this week and the next one , '' he said in an interview with the Vesti program on the Rossiya-1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m not going to make any predictions to the end , but , at least in the near future that we can foresee , we are convinced that the healthcare system will cope with the tasks that it is facing , '' he added .
By Friday morning , as many as 18,105 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow , or 56.6 % of the country ’ s overall number .
A total of 1,517 patients have recovered and 127 have died .
A coronavirus lockdown regime has been in force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a system of electronic passes was imposed on April 15 to control travels by both private and public transport .

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. Moscow’s healthcare system has enough capacities for at least two weeks, and the required "margin of endurance," Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.
"The primary task for us today is to ensure the healthcare system’s margin of endurance for the foreseeable perspective. For now, this has been accomplished. Today we can see that we certainly have additional capacities for this week and the next one," he said in an interview with the Vesti program on the Rossiya-1 television channel on Friday.
"I’m not going to make any predictions to the end, but, at least in the near future that we can foresee, we are convinced that the healthcare system will cope with the tasks that it is facing," he added.
By Friday morning, as many as 18,105 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Moscow, or 56.6% of the country’s overall number. A total of 1,517 patients have recovered and 127 have died. A coronavirus lockdown regime has been in force in the capital city since March 29 and a system of electronic passes was imposed on April 15 to control travels by both private and public transport.


tass--2020-04-19--Trump states very good relationship between US and Russia

WASHINGTON , April 19 .
/TASS/ .
US President Donald Trump does not see an increase in military tension with Russia amid the pandemic and is convinced that the two countries have `` a very good relationship . ''
He stated this at a briefing for journalists in the White House on Saturday .
When asked if `` US opponents , '' such as the North Korea , Russia , China and Iran , are trying to take advantage of the coronavirus situation to the detriment of the United States , hampering Washington ’ s policies and creating military tension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t see it .
We have very good relationship with Russia .
We worked together on the oil deal .
That was a very important deal to them and to us and to Saudi Arabia . ''
`` I worked with Putin and with the King [ of Saudi Arabia ] on that .
President Putin was a total gentleman .
It was very important to get that done .
The King was great , '' Trump said .
At the same time he recalled the sanctions Washington had imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Putin than me .
Look at the sanctions , look at what I did with their pipeline going into Europe ( Nord Stream-2 pipeline - TASS ) .
I exposed it .
Now everyone talks about it .
But at the same time I have a very good relationship with Putin .
I was able to make a deal with Russia and Saudi Arabia , '' Trump said adding that the deal will save the American oil industry and hundreds of thousands of jobs in the U.S. On April 12 , OPEC+ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finalize a deal on scaling back production in May-June .
The final quota of oil production cuts approved for these two months is not 10 mln barrels per day but 9.7 mln barrels per day , because Mexico agreed to reduce production by a smaller volume than it was expected .
Under the new agreement , Russia and Saudi Arabia will cut their oil outputs equally by 2.5 mln barrels per day from the base level of 11 mln barrels per day .
The agreement will be valid for two years .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oil production reduction quota will be 7.7 mln barrels per day , and from January 2021 until the end of April 2022 , it will be 5.8 mln barrels per day .
The terms of the transaction can be revised in December 2021 .

WASHINGTON, April 19. /TASS/. US President Donald Trump does not see an increase in military tension with Russia amid the pandemic and is convinced that the two countries have "a very good relationship." He stated this at a briefing for journalists in the White House on Saturday.
When asked if "US opponents," such as the North Korea, Russia, China and Iran, are trying to take advantage of the coronavirus situation to the detriment of the United States, hampering Washington’s policies and creating military tension, Trump said:
"No, I don’t see it. We have very good relationship with Russia. We worked together on the oil deal. That was a very important deal to them and to us and to Saudi Arabia."
"I worked with Putin and with the King [of Saudi Arabia] on that. President Putin was a total gentleman. It was very important to get that done. The King was great," Trump said.
At the same time he recalled the sanctions Washington had imposed against Moscow.
"Nobody was tougher with Putin than me. Look at the sanctions, look at what I did with their pipeline going into Europe (Nord Stream-2 pipeline - TASS). I exposed it. Now everyone talks about it. But at the same time I have a very good relationship with Putin. I was able to make a deal with Russia and Saudi Arabia,"Trump said adding that the deal will save the American oil industry and hundreds of thousands of jobs in the U.S.
On April 12, OPEC+ countries at an emergency meeting managed to finalize a deal on scaling back production in May-June.
The final quota of oil production cuts approved for these two months is not 10 mln barrels per day but 9.7 mln barrels per day, because Mexico agreed to reduce production by a smaller volume than it was expected. Under the new agreement, Russia and Saudi Arabia will cut their oil outputs equally by 2.5 mln barrels per day from the base level of 11 mln barrels per day.
The agreement will be valid for two years. From July to December 2020, the daily oil production reduction quota will be 7.7 mln barrels per day, and from January 2021 until the end of April 2022, it will be 5.8 mln barrels per day. The terms of the transaction can be revised in December 2021.


tass--2020-04-19--Writer Alexander Kabakov dies at 76 in Moscow

MOSCOW , April 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian writer , playwright and journalist Alexander Kabakov died in Moscow on Saturday , chief editor of the Russian Pioneer magazine , journalist Andrey Kolesnikov told TASS .
Kabakov was 76 .
`` Alexander Kabakov died on Saturday at 10:40 pm in a Moscow hospital , '' Kolesnikov said .
Alexander Kabakov was born on October 22 , 1943 .
Since 1972 , he was professionally engaged in journalism .
In the 1970-s , he was a reporter for Gudok , a Soviet railroad industry newspaper .
Later he wrote and worked as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication .
In late 1990s , he was a special correspondent and head of the department of the Kommersant publishing house .
As a fiction writer he became well-known in the era of Perestroika when in 1989 his novel `` No Return '' was published.The book was translated into several languages , including English , and adapted into a film .
Kabakov ’ s books are published in the USA , France , Germany , Italy , Spain , Japan , China and many other countries .
Kabakov is a laureate of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel `` All Is Repairable .
`` .

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. Russian writer, playwright and journalist Alexander Kabakov died in Moscow on Saturday, chief editor of the Russian Pioneer magazine, journalist Andrey Kolesnikov told TASS. Kabakov was 76.
"Alexander Kabakov died on Saturday at 10:40 pm in a Moscow hospital," Kolesnikov said.
Alexander Kabakov was born on October 22, 1943. Since 1972, he was professionally engaged in journalism. In the 1970-s, he was a reporter for Gudok, a Soviet railroad industry newspaper. Later he wrote and worked as the deputy editor-in-chief at the Moscow News publication. In late 1990s, he was a special correspondent and head of the department of the Kommersant publishing house.
As a fiction writer he became well-known in the era of Perestroika when in 1989 his novel "No Return" was published.The book was translated into several languages, including English, and adapted into a film. Kabakov’s books are published in the USA, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, China and many other countries. Kabakov is a laureate of the prestigious literary prize Big Book for his novel "All Is Repairable.".


tass--2020-04-19--Putin congratulates Orthodox Christians and all Russian citizens who celebrate Easter

MOSCOW , April 19 .
/TASS/ .
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Orthodox Christians and all Russian citizens who celebrate @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin press service reported .
`` The Great holiday of Easter fills people 's @ @ @ @ @ , with faith in the all-conquering power of life , in the triumph of goodness @ @ @ @ @ These enduring ideals and values hold our people together and help us withstand difficult trials @ @ @ @ @ .
The head of state noted that `` today , as at all times , @ @ @ @ @ other Christian denominations direct their selfless services to strengthening the spiritual and moral foundations of @ @ @ @ @ and cultural heritage of Russia . ''
They participate in the upbringing of the younger @ @ @ @ @ of the institution of the family , he noted .
Putin stressed `` the great @ @ @ @ @ activities of Christian religious organizations , their support of volunteers and all caring people who @ @ @ @ @ others .
`` .

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Orthodox Christians and all Russian citizens who celebrate Easter on April 19, the Kremlin press service reported.
"The Great holiday of Easter fills people's hearts with joy and hope, with faith in the all-conquering power of life, in the triumph of goodness, love and justice. These enduring ideals and values hold our people together and help us withstand difficult trials," the congratulation says.
The head of state noted that "today, as at all times, the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations direct their selfless services to strengthening the spiritual and moral foundations of society, increasing the historical and cultural heritage of Russia." They participate in the upbringing of the younger generation, and the strengthening of the institution of the family, he noted.
Putin stressed "the great and highly sought social charitable activities of Christian religious organizations, their support of volunteers and all caring people who are sincerely eager to help others.".


tass--2020-04-19--Number of coronavirus victims in Moscow rises by 28, reaches 176

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
Another 28 patients with coronavirus and concomitant diseases died over the past day in Moscow , they were from 30 to 93 years old , operational headquarters for the control and monitoring of the situation with coronavirus infection reported on Saturday .
`` In Moscow , 28 patients died who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for coronavirus infection .
Patients from 30 to 93 years old were among the diseased .
A 30-year-old man had diabetes .
A 37-year-old patient was diagnosed with pneumonia with a complete damage to the left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is specified that the diseased had concomitant diseases , including hypertension , chronic bronchitis , pyelonephritis , and diabetes .
Three of the deceased were treated in a federal hospital .
Another was observed in a private clinic .
The total number of deaths associated with coronavirus in Moscow reached 176 .
Over the past day , 2,649 new cases of infection were recorded in the capital , with more than 20,754 infected in the city .
Since the start of the pandemic , more than 2.2 mln people have been infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150,000 have died .
In Russia , according to the information of the federal operational headquarters , 36,793 cases of infection were registered , 313 people died .

MOSCOW, April 19. /TASS/. Another 28 patients with coronavirus and accompanying diseases died during the past day in Moscow, they were from 30 to 93 years old, operational headquarters for the control and monitoring of the situation with coronavirus infection reported on Saturday.
"In Moscow, 28 patients died who were diagnosed with pneumonia and tested positive for coronavirus infection. Patients from 30 to 93 years old were among the diseased. A 30-year-old man had diabetes. A 37-year-old patient was diagnosed with pneumonia with a complete damage to the left lung," the headquarters said.
It is specified that those infected had concomitant diseases, including hypertension, chronic bronchitis, pyelonephritis, and diabetes. Three of the deceased were treated in a federal hospital. Another was observed in a private clinic.
The total number of deaths associated with coronavirus in Moscow reached 176. Over the past day, 2,649 new cases of infection were recorded in the capital, with more than 20,754 infected in the city.
Since the start of the pandemic, more than 2.2 mln people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, more than 150,000 have died. In Russia, according to the information of the federal operational headquarters, 36,793 cases of infection were registered, 313 people died.


tass--2020-04-19--Share of asymptomatic coronavirus cases grows to around 60%

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
The share of Moscow residents infected with coronavirus , in which the disease is asymptomatic , increased to 60 % compared with 40 % a week ago , Head of the Moscow Department of Healthcare Alexey Khripun said in an interview with Channel One .
Khripun noted that about 18,000 tests for coronavirus are performed daily in Moscow .
`` This number ( of detected cases of infection - TASS ) is increasing , but I must say that it is mainly due to asymptomatic carriers of the virus .
A week ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Moscow had no symptoms , today there are about 60 % of asymptomatic carriers of the virus , '' he said .
On Friday , Russia ’ s chief sanitary doctor Anna Popova said that in general in Russia the share of asymptomatic carriers of coronavirus is 45-50 % of all infected people .
She explained that growth of this indicator compared with previous weeks is associated with increasing detection of infected .
According to the latest data , 20,754 infected were detected in Moscow on April 18 .
In late December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. The share of Moscow residents infected with coronavirus, in which the disease is asymptomatic, increased to 60% compared with 40% a week ago, Head of the Moscow Department of Healthcare Alexey Khripun said in an interview with Channel One.
Khripun noted that about 18,000 tests for coronavirus are performed daily in Moscow. "This number (of detected cases of infection - TASS) is increasing, but I must say that it is mainly due to asymptomatic carriers of the virus. A week ago, about 40% of all cases in Moscow had no symptoms, today there are about 60% of asymptomatic carriers of the virus," he said.
On Friday, Russia’s chief sanitary doctor Anna Popova said that in general in Russia the share of asymptomatic carriers of coronavirus is 45-50% of all infected people. She explained that growth of this indicator compared with previous weeks is associated with increasing detection of infected.
According to the latest data, 20,754 infected were detected in Moscow on April 18.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-04-18--Number of coronavirus victims in UK surpasses 15,000

LONDON , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
The number of deceased patients with coronavirus in the United Kingdom increased by 888 per day , the total number of victims of the disease exceeded 15,000 people .
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Department of Health and Social Care , the number of infected per day increased by 5,500 , breaking the mark of 114,000 .
`` 357,023 people have been tested of which 114,217 tested positive .
As of 5pm on 17 April , of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus , 15,464 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
According to Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty , so far experts can not confidently say that the peak incidence rate in the country has been reached or overcome .
The daily mortality rates were decreasing for several days in a row , then increasing again .
In late December 2019 , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .

LONDON, April 18. /TASS/. The number of deceased patients with coronavirus in the United Kingdom increased by 888 per day, the total number of victims of the disease exceeded 15,000 people. According to a statement released on Saturday by the Department of Health and Social Care, the number of infected per day increased by 5,500, breaking the mark of 114,000.
"357,023 people have been tested of which 114,217 tested positive. As of 5pm on 17 April, of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 15,464 have sadly died," the statement said.
According to Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty, so far experts cannot confidently say that the peak incidence rate in the country has been reached or overcome. The daily mortality rates were decreasing for several days in a row, then increasing again.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.


tass--2020-04-18--Coronavirus cases in Moscow Region rise to 3,954 over past day

MOSCOW , April 18 .
/TASS/ .
Cases of coronavirus infection were recorded in 61 districts of the Moscow region , in just a day there were 428 more people infected in the region , their total number reached 3,954 , the regional operational headquarters for monitoring the situation with coronavirus said on Saturday .
`` 428 coronavirus cases were detected in the Moscow Region per day .
In total , 3,954 cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in the Moscow Region .
40 people have died .
162 people have recovered and have been discharged , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization ( WHO ) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan , in central China .
Since then , cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe , including Russia .
On March 11 , 2020 , the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic .
Since the start of the pandemic , over 2.2 mln people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the latest data , 36,793 cases of infection were registered , 3,057 people recovered , 313 people died .

MOSCOW, April 18. /TASS/. Cases of coronavirus infection were recorded in 61 districts of the Moscow region, in just a day there were 428 more people infected in the region, their total number reached 3,954, the regional operational headquarters for monitoring the situation with coronavirus said on Saturday.
"428 coronavirus cases were detected in the Moscow Region per day. In total, 3,954 cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in the Moscow Region. 40 people have died. 162 people have recovered and have been discharged," the report said.
In late December 2019, Chinese officials notified the World Health Organization (WHO) about the outbreak of a previously unknown pneumonia in the city of Wuhan, in central China. Since then, cases of the novel coronavirus - named COVID-19 by the WHO - have been reported in every corner of the globe, including Russia. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
Since the start of the pandemic, over 2.2 mln people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, more than 150,000 people have died. In Russia, according to the latest data, 36,793 cases of infection were registered, 3,057 people recovered, 313 people died.