ST. PETERBURG, June 9. /TASS/. Russia currently has more than 80,000 coronavirus patients, and 20,000 of them had to be admitted to hospitals, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told TASS in an interview on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

"Currently, Russia has more than 80,000 coronavirus patients, and over 20,000 of them are undergoing treatment in hospitals at this point," he said.

Murashko added that Russia was monitoring the coronavirus and its mutations. Moreover, its scientists and doctors keep track of vaccines, medicines and therapy strategies.

"If any new challenges emerge, our healthcare systems will be able to quickly respond and adjust to the situation, because of the vast experience it obtained during the pandemic," the minister added.

This year’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) was held on June 5-8. Its theme was "The Formation of New Areas of Growth as the Cornerstone of a Multipolar World." SPIEF was organized by the Roscongress Foundation. TASS is the information partner of the event.