Ukraine posts record Covid deaths and cases for second day

Ukraine's capital on Friday reimposed restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus as the ex-Soviet nation reported record Covid-19 deaths and cases for the second day in a row. 

A government tally registered a record 23,785 new infections and 614 daily deaths in the ex-Soviet nation, which has an under-resourced public health service.

Authorities warned that the worst was yet to come.

"Dear friends, we are now just approaching this peak," said Oleksiy Danylov, the head of the national security and defence council.

"This is a very scary situation," he told reporters on Friday.

He blamed widespread anti-vaccine sentiment in the country for the spike in cases and deaths, adding that Ukraine could soon see more than 1,000 people die from the virus each day.

Kiev pupils will stay away from school for the next two weeks, with the first seven days coinciding with national school holidays.

Kindergartens are allowed to remain open if all their employees have been vaccinated. Kiev authorities may also announce the temporary closure of retail, sporting and entertainment venues.

Authorities in the country of around 41 million people initially struggled to source vaccines and convince Ukrainians to get a jab.