Because of the increase in infections, Putin asks the army to help fight the Corona virus

The Russian president asked his defense minister to continue providing support to the civilian medical service if necessary, and said that "Russia may need the army's help to build field hospitals for coronavirus patients at a time when the country is facing an increase in infections."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia may need the military's help to build field hospitals for coronavirus patients as the country grapples with a surge in infections that has led to a nationwide shutdown of workplaces.

Addressing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and other senior officers, Putin said: "The situation in the country is very difficult, more than 40,000 cases (a day). This has never happened before."

"I ask you to continue to provide support to the civil medical service if necessary. You may use your construction capabilities because there is a need to continue building ready-made medical facilities," he added.

Putin last month ordered the closure of workplaces nationwide for a week from October 30, which local authorities can extend as they see fit.

Russia has recorded more than 8.5 million cases of the virus since the beginning of the pandemic.