MOSCOW

Russia on Friday reported more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases for the sixth day in a row on Friday, the country’s emergency task force said.

According to its daily report, 10,699 new coronavirus cases were registered in the country over the past day.

The total numbers of cases in the country jumped to 187,859. The death toll from the virus rose to 1,723 as 98 more people died over the last 24 hours.

The total number of recoveries reached 26,608, including 2,805 reported since yesterday, while 292,000 people stay under medical surveillance with suspected COVID-19, according to the task force.

To date, 4.9 million tests were carried out in Russia aiming to diagnose the illness at early stages.

Four top Russian officials in two weeks, including Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, were hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus.

Despite rather tough measures, which include lockdown of capital Moscow, ban for entry of foreigners and stateless people, and suspension of international air and railway traffic, Russia is the fifth worst coronavirus-hit country in terms of number of cases.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 187 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.

The pandemic has killed over 269,700 worldwide, with total infections nearing 3.86 million, while recoveries surpassed 1.28 million, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.