Russia could experience a spike in cases of the new coronavirus if people flout lockdown measures during public holidays scheduled for early May, Reuters quoted a top health official as saying on Sunday.

The number of coronavirus cases in Russia began rising sharply this month, reaching more than 80,000 on Sunday after a record 6,361 new cases were registered over the past day.

Anna Popova, head of Russia's consumer health watchdog, said the country had so far avoided a spike in cases and could continue to do 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, Russian news agencies reported.

Russia, which has so far recorded 747 coronavirus-related deaths, has declared lockdowns across the country, including in the capital Moscow, the area worst-affected by the virus.