Ukraine records alarming rise in virus cases

KIEV, AFP June11, 2020 - Ukraine said on Thursday there had been an “alarming” rise in coronavirus cases after a daily record of 689 new infections were reported as the country eases lockdown measures.   

Cases have surged in Ukraine in recent days, with the total now reaching more than 29,000, according to official figures.   

Since Friday, the number of cases has risen by over 3,600, 21% more than in the previous seven days.   

 “Today we have very alarming figures,” Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook, saying the tally for the last 24 hours was the highest since the outbreak began.   

Some experts said the uptick was due to an increase in testing rather than a second wave of the disease.   But Stepanov berated Ukrainians for failing to stick to safety rules after lockdown restrictions were eased last month with the reopening of outdoor cafes, beauty salons, dental clinics and parks.   

He promised to come up with “urgent” steps to slow down the spread of the virus.