Now we are getting a taste of what the native Americans when the European immigrants came here with smallpox.
At least we know what it is and what we can do about it.

Russia was just late in getting started. They are currently on a list for changing rapidly:

"Countries with notable overnight changes to keep an eye on:

• Singapore: gaining 30-34 new cases every day for the past 3 days,
  total of 385 cases;
• Hong Kong: gained 48 cases to bring the total to 256 cases;
• Russia: confirmed 52 and 54 new cases in 2 consecutive days, total
  of 253 cases;
• India: confirmed 55 new cases in the past 24 hours bringing the
  total to 249 cases;
• Turkey: over doubled in 24 hours from 47 to 98 cases, in the next 24
  hours to 191, in the next 24 hours to 359 cases, and 300 cases in the
  past 24 hours, bringing the total to 670 cases;
• Chile: went from 238 to 342 cases overnight and to 434 cases in the
  next 24 hours;
• Indonesia: went from 227 to 308 cases in 24 hours, followed by an
  increase to 369 cases in the next 24 hours;
• Ecuador: almost doubled from 58 to 111 cases, in the next 24 hours
  to 168 cases, in the next 24 hours to 260 cases, and now at 426 cases
  after another 24 hours;
• Luxembourg: went from 203 to 335 cases in 24 hours and to 484 in the
  following 24 hours;
• Iceland: went from 250 to 330 cases in 24 hours, now at 409 cases
  after another 24 hours;
• Pakistan: daily significant increments -- 53, 184, 247, 307, 454
  cases; now at 501 cases;
• Saudi Arabia: increased by 70 new cases in past 24 hours to 344
  cases."

Source: Global update: Worldometer
Date: Fri 20 Mar 2020 [accessed 9:15 pm GMT-4]
Source: Worldometer [edited]
<[worldometers.info];

Note that here in the US sparsely populated areas have been slower to become infected, and when they do become infected the growth rate is slower. Part of that might be due to less travel in and out, and less contact.

Siberia has a sparse population and not much international traffic.