Moscow mayor warns of ‘rapid rise’ of coronavirus

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has warned of a rapid rise in the number of patients exhibiting coronavirus symptoms in Russia's capital this week and told residents to brace for difficult times.

"There were around 500 new patients (per day) at hospitals, now there are already 1,300," he said in a video address on the mayor's website on Friday.

Meanwhile, 25 public hospitals and clinics in Russia's capital have been refitted for an influx in COVID-19 patients over the past week, Russian state media reported Saturday, and all patients who exhibit symptoms will now be treated as if they have the virus, regardless of if their first test comes up positive.

Sobyanin also said a system of passes will be put into effect next week to boost compliance with restrictions on movement as part of measures to halt spread of the virus.

"We must stock up our patience and courage and do our utmost to responsibly follow the rules and restrictions that have been set," he said.

The mayor added the pass system was necessary because many residents have not complied with orders to stay home except to buy food and medicine, walk pets or go to jobs at essential workplaces.

Police officers have reportedly ramped up checks of pedestrians and cars in Moscow to ensure compliance with the lockdown.

By Saturday, Moscow had recorded more than 8,852 cases of coronavirus infection, about 65% of the country's total, and 58 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

The vast majority of people recover.