Russia's new coronavirus cases surge to record high of 17,340

Medical specialists push a stretcher outside a hospital for patients infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia October 23, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Russia's daily tally of new coronavirus cases hit a record high of 17,340 on Friday, including 5,478 in Moscow, taking the national tally to 1,480,646 since the pandemic began.

Authorities said 283 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 25,525.

An ambulance is seen near a hospital for patients infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia October 23, 2020. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

(Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; writing by Tom Balmforth; editing by Gareth Jones)

FILE PHOTO: Passengers use protective face masks as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) inside a bus in Omsk, Russia October 16, 2020. REUTERS/Alexey Malgavko