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Russia's Bolshoi Theatre hit by major outbreak of 34 coronavirus cases

14 April 2020 17:37 (UTC +04:00)

The world famous Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow has been hit by a major outbreak of coronavirus with 34 cases, APA reports citing Daily Mail.

The outbreak emerged after the troupe had performed on live TV for Russians from an empty auditorium while the country is in lockdown with 21,102 infections recorded and 170 deaths.

The Bolshoi's general director Vladimir Urin told TASS that 34 involved in organising the TV concert - called 'We are together' - tested positive for Covid-19.

A spokesman said: 'Obviously, (those infected) were suspended from the event and now everyone is at home in quarantine.'

Several hundred people were involved in arranging the concert had passed a test a few days before the event.

The event was meant as a thank you to Russian doctors, emergency workers and volunteers involved in tackling the coronavirus crisis - but it was clearly organised and performed without proper social distancing.

Dancer Sergei Polunin - formerly of London's Royal Ballet - said: 'I was happy to be back on stage and dance in support of people who fighting the virus and people who are staying at home.

'It was unusual to see empty auditorium.

'When I was walking on stage I still had a feeling that audience were there.'

The spread at the Bolshoi appeared to symbolise a failure which sees Moscow's hospitals in emergency mode and suspicions the rising official figures - with another record of 2,774 new cases today - mask the real toll.