Ukraine shuts schools as COVID19 death toll hits new record

KYIV — Ukraine shut schools in coronavirus hotspots on Friday and announced a requirement for vaccine certificates or negative tests to access public transport in the capital, after COVID-19 deaths hit a record high.

Schools in the capital Kyiv were ordered to close for a two-week holiday. In other “red zone” areas of high infection, schools would be permitted to reopen only if all teachers are vaccinated.

One of Europe’s poorest countries, Ukraine fell behind in the race for vaccine supplies this year and so far only 6.8 million in a population of 41 million are fully vaccinated.

Infections have soared after a lull in the summer. Official data showed a record 614 new deaths related to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, up from 546 on Thursday.

Countries in Eastern Europe, including both former Soviet states and ex-communist members of the EU, have many of the continent’s lowest vaccination rates. Several have experienced record-setting waves of infection, with some of the highest death rates in the world in recent days.