Ukraine’s coronavirus infections and deaths have reached all-time highs for a second straight day Friday, in a growing challenge for one of Europe’s least vaccinated countries.
Health authorities in Ukraine reported 23,785 new confirmed infections and 614 deaths in the past 24 hours.
Authorities in Kyiv, the capital, shut schools for two weeks beginning Friday, with similar measures being ordered in other high contagion areas.
Surging infections have been blamed on a sluggish vaccination pace by authorities. The nation of 41 million allows free choice between Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac vaccines, but only about 15% of the population is fully vaccinated, Europe’s lowest level after Armenia.
Overall, the country has about 2.7 million registered infections and about 63,000 registered deaths.
The steep rise in infections and deaths has prompted tightening restrictions by the government. Proof of vaccination or a negative test is required to board planes, trains, and other long-distance buses starting Thursday.