Accessibility links

Breaking News

Daghestan's Health Minister Says More Than 40 Doctors Have Died Of COVID-19, Pneumonia


Daghestan's health authorities had only reported 29 COVID-19 deaths as of May 16.
Daghestan's health authorities had only reported 29 COVID-19 deaths as of May 16.

Daghestan’s top health official has said more than 40 doctors have died from either the coronavirus or "community-acquired pneumonia" as many raise questions about the accuracy of Russia’s reported cases and deaths from COVID-19.

Daghestan Health Minister Dzhamaludin Gadzhiibragimov, in an interview with a local blogger on May 16, also said that more than 13,000 people in the impoverished North Caucasus republic are currently suffering from COVID-19 or pneumonia.

The republic’s coronavirus center had reported just 3,280 cases of COVID-19 as of May 16 and only 29 deaths. Gadzhiibragimov said that more than 657 people have died of “community-acquired pneumonia.”

However, a severe case of COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia, opening the possibility for a case of the coronavirus to be diagnosed as pneumonia.

Russia has been accused of lowering its COVID-19 mortality rates by ascribing deaths to pneumonia.

The country has more than 272,000 registered cases of COVID-19 but only 2,537 deaths, which is one of the lowest death rates.

In the United States, COVID-19 is listed as the cause of death for anyone who perishes while infected with the disease.

Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG