Russia's COVID-19 cases near 100,000

Russia has reported 5,841 COVID-19 cases over the last 24 hours, raising its total number to 99,399 as of Wednesday, official data showed.

The death toll increased by 108 to 972, while 10,286 people have recovered, including 1,830 over the last 24 hours, the country's coronavirus response center said in a statement.

Moscow, the country's worst-hit region, confirmed 2,220 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking its total to 50,646.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said in a statement Wednesday that temporary wards with a combined capacity of 10,000 will be opened shortly at the city's main hospitals.

Russia's consumer rights and human well-being watchdog said in a statement Wednesday that 199,834 people were under medical observation across the country as of Tuesday.

On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin extended the country's national paid leave and regime of self-isolation to May 11 from April 30, and ordered the government to prepare a plan for the gradual lifting of coronavirus-related restrictions from May 12.