Russia could experience a spike in cases of the coronavirus if people flout lockdown measures during public holidays scheduled for early May, a top health official said, according to Reuters.

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,” Popova said in an interview on state television.

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