Russia's coronavirus cases near 100K in latest one-day jump

Overall, 972 people have been killed by the virus so far in Russia. Russia confirmed 5 841 new coronavirus infections Wednesday, bringing the country’s official number of cases to 99 399.

Russia is now the eighth most-affected country in terms of infections, having surpassed China and Iran this week.

President Vladimir Putin warned Tuesday that Russia had not yet reached the peak of coronavirus infections but said a "phased exit" from the country's lockdown measures could begin in two weeks.

With the number of cases rising by several thousand daily, Putin extended a non-working period across the country until May 11, telling officials to plan for a gradual lifting of quarantines after that. He ordered the government to come up with a plan for a "phased exit" from quarantine regimes from May 12 "depending on the epidemiological situation" in the country's regions. He also ordered officials to develop a new "package of urgent measures to support the economy."

While the country's industry has mobilized to manufacture more medical equipment and protective gear, shortages persist, Putin said.

Virus testing has also expanded to a current level of around 150 000 tests per day, he said.

Putin announced a month of non-working days at the start of April to encourage Russians to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus.

Individual regions then imposed various quarantine measures, with the lockdown especially strict in Moscow, which has been hardest-hit by the disease.