MOSCOW — Russia reported 9,859 new coronavirus, COVID-19, cases on Saturday, the highest number of daily infections since May 15, when the outbreak was at its peak.

Russia's coronavirus crisis center said that 174 coronavirus deaths had been confirmed in the last 24 hours, which took the official national death toll to 21,251.

Over 222,500 patients remain under medical observation in Russia due to the suspected novel coronavirus infection, the press service of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing reported on Friday.

"In the Russian Federation 222,592 people remain under medical observation," the statement said. According to the agency, in all, over 46.8 million coronavirus tests have been conducted. Over the past 24 hours, 402,000 tests were made.

Meanwhile, more than 34.31 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,018,208 have died, according to a Reuters tally. Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019

In Abu Dhabi, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 117,812 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

In a statement, the Ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment.

As part of its intensified testing campaign, MoHAP announced 1,231 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases in the UAE to 97,760.

According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and are receiving the necessary care. MoHAP also announced 2 deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 426.

MoHAP also noted an additional 1,051 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 87,122.

In Beirut, Lebanon will place 111 villages and towns across the country under a lockdown due to a surge in the new coronavirus cases there, the Interior Ministry said on Friday, according to DPA.

During the eight-day lockdown, starting on Sunday, people in the affected areas are required to stay at home and only go outdoors if necessary. Only supermarkets and pharmacies will be allowed to remain open in the areas.

In Monterrey, Mexico's confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 753,090 on Friday, along with a total reported death toll of 78,492, Reuters cited updated data from the Mexican health ministry as showing. Authorities reported 4,775 new cases and 414 deaths today, but the true figures are likely significantly higher due to little testing. — Agencies