Russia's coronavirus case tally nears 950,000

Russia reported 4,870 new coronavirus cases on Friday, pushing its confirmed national tally to 946,976, the fourth largest in the world. 

Authorities said 90 people had died over the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 16,189.

Meanwhile, the clinical trial of a Russian COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the Siberian Vektor research center is due to be completed in September, RIA news agency reported citing Russia's healthcare watchdog on Friday.

Russia has claimed the world's first registered vaccine earlier in August without finishing phase three trials. 

The vaccine, "Sputnik V", created by Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, a medical institute located near Moscow, has attracted widespread criticism and concern as to its safety and efficacy. 

(With input from Reuters)