Russia braces for Omicron-led COVID wave early next year -sources

FILE PHOTO: Pedestrians walk near a skating rink past signs requesting to wear protective face masks and to keep a social distance amid the coronavirus disease (COVID 19) outbreak, as heavy fog covers a square named after Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin in Stavropol, Russia December 1, 2020. REUTERS/Eduard Korniyenko/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia is bracing itself for another COVID-19 wave early next year, sparked largely by the spread of the highly contagious Omicron strain that has spooked markets and lawmakers in recent weeks, three sources in political circles told Reuters.

"There is the expectation of a new wave in January-February," said a source close to the Kremlin said, adding that daily infections of more than 50,000 were possible.