Russia may see spike in COVID-19 cases during May holidays - official

A top health official in Russia fears the country could experience a spike in COVID-19 cases if people defy lockdown measures during public holidays scheduled for early May.

Russia began seeing a sharp increase in its COVID-19 numbers this month, reaching more than 80,000 on Sunday.

Anna Popova, head of Russia's consumer health watchdog, said the country had so far avoided a sharp spike in cases and could continue doing so "if only we do not give up during the holidays."

"That is the biggest risk today," Russian news agencies reported Popova to have said in an interview on state television.

Russia will observe a number of holidays between May 1 and May 11, leaving Russian with a few working days. Many Russians have been known to travel during the period.

With 747 COVID-19 deaths, Russia has imposed lockdowns across the country, including the capital Moscow, in a bid to further curb the spread of the disease.

Popova urged Russians to remain home during the holidays so as to avoid a spike in the COVID-19 numbers.

"We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones," she said.

(REUTERS)