You're reading: COVID-19 in Ukraine: 646 new cases, 1,147 dead, 43,628 infected

The number of officially confirmed COVID-19 cases in Ukraine has reached 43,628 as of 9 a.m. on June 29. 

In the past 24 hours, health authorities confirmed 646 new cases of COVID-19, a significant decrease after a record-breaking week of around 1,000 cases a day. However, that may be the result of the lower numbers of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests usually carried out on weekends. 

Only 6,649 PCR tests were administered across the country in the past 24 hours, two times lower than on weekdays. In addition, Ukrainian laboratories carried out 3,201 antibodies tests (ELISA). 

Also in the past 24 hours, 164 people were hospitalized. 

Eighteen people died, bringing the total death toll in the country to 1,147 since the beginning of the outbreak. 

Ninety-three patients recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 19,027. This is the lowest number of recoveries in a day since May 13. 

Ukraine’s daily COVID-19 cases, deaths and recoveries from May 1 to June 28, 2020. All data were released by the Ministry of Health.

The regions with the highest numbers of newly registered cases are Lviv Oblast (115), Rivne Oblast (70) and Zakarpattia Oblast (66).

At his morning briefing on June 29, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said that the number of pneumonia cases in Ukraine is growing and they are being tested for COVID-19. 

As of May 11, when Ukraine first began lifting quarantine restrictions and reopening the economy, Ukrainian health authorities have registered 2,143 cases of pneumonia a week. As of today, that number has doubled to over 4,000 a week.

Ukraine’s daily new COVID-19 cases and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the most accurate way of diagnosing the novel coronavirus, between May 1 and June 28, 2020. (Bermet Talant)