Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Russia to Ease Shutdown Amid Steady Growth of COVID-19 Cases

Zlatica Hoke

   WASHINGTON - Russia has announced plans for a gradual easing of
   coronavirus restrictions after the so-called non-working period ends
   Monday.

   Officials announced the decision after discussions with President
   Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, despite a stream of more than 10,000 new
   COVID-19 cases a day in recent days. Russia now reports the world's
   seventh-highest number of infections, about 166,000 on Wednesday with
   1,537 reported virus-related deaths, a comparatively low rate in
   contrast with other countries. Many analysts have expressed doubt that
   the figures are realistic.

   "The Russian media presents this as a result of the Russian medicine,
   which, they claim, inherited the 'best' traditions of the Soviet
   medicine," said Russia analyst Peter Eltsov, author of the book 'The
   Long Telegram 2.0: A Neo-Kennanite Approach to Russia.' He told VOA in
   an email that the official news media "also constantly thanks Putin for
   his allegedly remarkable and humane leadership, claiming that the U.S.
   has failed to counter the virus properly."

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