COVID-19: Number of virus cases in Russia up to 93

PM Mishustin: Authorities will openly inform Russians of coronavirus situation

Over 10% of coronavirus patients have recovered in Russia

PM orders to prepare priority actions plan due to coronavirus

The number of coronavirus cases in Russia is now up to 93, the deputy PM reported on Monday few hours after the PM had the said the citizens will be promptly informed the virus cases and government steps .

The Russian authorities will openly inform society of the situation regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus and the measures taken in view of that, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Monday.

Speaking at a meeting with the deputy prime ministers, he noted that the government had so far taken only initial steps, adding that citizens would be informed about subsequent actions in detail later.

"Let me emphasize the following. As for the coronavirus and the fight against its spread, we will not hide [anything]. We will speak absolutely openly about what is going on, what the forecasts are, what difficulties we face, and, of course, what positive changes we have managed to achieve," Mishustin said.

According to the prime minister, the coordination council at the Cabinet "will prepare decisions on a daily basis" and coordinate actions aimed at preventing the spread of the infection and its aftermath.

Meanwhile, more than 10% of people in Russia, who have contracted the novel coronavirus, have already recovered and have been discharged from hospitals, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told reporters earlier on Monday.

"Today, some 10% of [patients] have been discharged [from hospitals], they have recovered. These are those people, who had been hospitalized earlier and who had directly contracted the coronavirus. As of this morning, we had 66 cases. Out of them, more than 10% have been already discharged," the minister said.

No fatality has been recorded so far.

Russian PM issued an order to prepare a plan of priority actions due to the spread of coronavirus before the end of Tuesday, March 17.

"I instruct to prepare a priority action plan by the end of Tuesday, which should include the following measures. First, measures to support the trade sector, which will allow us to create a fairly reliable supply of essential goods. Businesses should get access to soft loans to solve these problems," Mishustin said.

According to him, it is also necessary to simplify the supply process both domestically and from abroad. "Starting from tomorrow for one month, it is necessary to remove restrictions within the city lines for retail chains transport, and also to launch a green corridor at customs for food and non-food essential goods, which will be purchased by large retail chains, as well as importers," he added.