Ukraine's COVID-19 death toll could reach 4,000, health officials say

FILE PHOTO: A man wearing a protective face mask amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) stands in front of a social poster in central Kyiv, Ukraine July 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

KYIV (Reuters) - Health officials in Ukraine, which has seen a spike in coronavirus cases this week, said on Saturday the outbreak could cause the nation's death toll to reach 4,000, more than double the current fatalities, Interfax Ukraine news agency said.

Ukraine reported a record high 1,197 new coronavirus cases on July 29 and a record number of hospital admissions, with health authorities blaming the jump on wider use of public transport and attendance at church services.