Coronavirus in Russia: the latest news. April 17

Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the coronavirus pandemic's spread within its borders. As the new coronavirus that has killed more than 126 000 people worldwide continues to spread, Russia has stepped up its measures to slow the pandemic's spread within its borders.

There have been 24 490 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far and 198 deaths.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as of April 16:

Russia confirmed 3 388 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the country’s official number of cases to 24 490 and marking the latest one-day record in new cases.

Muscovites complained of large queues outside metro stations and severe traffic jams on the first day of the city’s mandatory digital lockdown passes, prompting concern that the coronavirus could spread further.

- Russian officials denounced U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut Washington’s funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov calling the move a “very selfish approach” and “very disturbing.”

— President Vladimir Putin will give his fourth address to the nation in as many weeks ahead of a meeting with members of the government at 3 p.m. Moscow time on Wednesday, the state-run TASS news agency cited the Kremlin as saying.

— Russian veterans' associations have asked Putin to postpone Russia's annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, which is set for May 9, due to the coronavirus situation. This year's celebrations mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

— Russia's coronavirus information center will be headed by doctor and television presenter Alexander Myasnikov, BBC Russia reported. Myasnikov previously predicted that it would be "impossible" for the virus to spread to Russia.

— The Murmansk region will use electronic bracelets to monitor the movements of coronavirus patients self-isolating at home and people suspected of having the coronavirus, the investigative Novaya Gazeta newspaper reported.

— The head of Moscow's main coronavirus hospital has recovered from the virus two weeks after he tested positive.