A surge of infections in Russia lifted the country's COVID-19 total to the world's second highest, as illness numbers and deaths continued to rise sharply in parts of South America.The global total today rose to 4,327,288 cases from 188 countries, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.
The number of deaths approached 300,000 and is at 295,540.Russia struggles with COVID-19 burdenRussia today reported 10,028 cases, raising the country's total to 242,271 and lifting it above Spain as the second most affected country.
However, Russia's death total of 2,212 so far is much lower than the other hard-hit countries.A Washington Post story today on Russia's outbreak describes a health system that is struggling with staff shortages, an