Russia's Dagestan Region Is Facing A Virus 'Catastrophe'

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia as of May 19. MT

Moscow Times/AFP: Putin Intervenes as Russia's Dagestan Faces Virus 'Catastrophe'

President Vladimir Putin was forced to intervene personally on Monday in the epidemic sweeping Russia's North Caucasus region of Dagestan, as local officials described the coronavirus situation as a "catastrophe."

For several days now, there have rumours of mounting fatalities and overwhelmed hospitals in the mountainous majority-Muslim region and local medical staff have taken to social media to make frantic appeals.

Dagestan's top cleric, Mufti Akhmad Abdulayev, described the situation as dire and pleaded to the Kremlin for help.

"The scope of the catastrophe is forcing us to appeal to you," he told Putin via video link Monday. "Please, bring your attention to Dagestan."

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WNU Editor: There is a lot of truth in this commentary .... Russia to ease lockdown: Economy couldn’t afford to wait for Covid-19 curve to flatten, while government poll ratings fell (RT).

More News On The Covid-19 Pandemic In Russia

Coronavirus in Russia: The Latest News | May 19 -- Moscow Times
Putin says coronavirus situation in southern Russia's Dagestan is difficult -- Reuters
The top health official in a Russian region that claims to have only 29 coronavirus deaths says the real figure is more than 20 times higher -- Business Insider
More than forty medics dead in Dagestan since the beginning of Covid-19 epidemic, according to local health ministry -- RT
Coronavirus has devastated Moscow. Now it's spreading across Russia's 11 time zones to ill-funded regions -- CNN
Russia’s coronavirus transmission rate continues to decline -- TASS
Russia reports less than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases for fourth day in a row -- TASS
Coronavirus is reportedly 16 times more fatal for healthcare workers in Russia than in other countries -- Meduza
Russia says many coronavirus patients died of other causes. Some disagree -- Chronicle Herald/Reuters
Russian Prime Minister Mishustin Discharged From Hospital After COVID-19 Treatment, Resumes Work -- Sputnik
Russian prime minister resumes duties after recovering from coronavirus -- TASS
Six of Russian State Duma Members Diagnosed With COVID-19 - Speaker's Aide -- Sputnik
Normal life in Moscow will resume ONLY after 60% of residents have Covid-19 immunity – official -- RT
How Russia’s Coronavirus Crisis Got So Bad -- Politico