Russian Prime Minister tests postive for Coronavirus

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has tested positive for coronavirus (Photo Source: Dmitry Astakhov)

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said that he had just learned that he had tested positive for coronovirus and is stepping down temporarily, becoming the most senior Russian official to suffer from the disease.

In a television video conversation with President Vladimir Putin, Mishustine said, "The tests I did for coronovirus came out positive."As a result, I must follow self-isolation and fulfill the orders of my doctors, which is necessary for the safety of my colleagues."

The Russian leader accepted his suggestion that Andrey Belusov, the first deputy prime minister, be named acting prime minister during Mishstein's absence. Putin said he would still seek Mishstine's approval for a decision on economic policy while he is in isolation. 'I plan to stay in active contact by telephone and videolink,' Mishustin said.

Mishstein, who showed no obvious symptoms of the virus during his brief appearance, said he would go to the hospital later on Thursday. He and other Russian officials, including Putin, have been holding public meetings in recent weeks by video link. Mishustein spokesman Boris Boliakov said those who were recently in contact with the Prime Minister would also be separated and tested.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a text message that Mishustin last met Putin more than four weeks ago.

"What's happening to you can happen to anyone," Putin told Mishustein on the video call. "That's what I've always said."

"I wish you a quick recovery," Putin said. "Please call me at the hospital."

Background

Putin named Mishustin, 54, as prime minister in January, calling on him to quicken endeavors to jump start economic growth. but, the former tax minister's goal was immediately surpassed by the spread of the infection and the breakdown in costs for oil, Russia's main export. 

The administration moved rapidly to force make a trip limitations to confine the virus and its infection aggregates for a considerable length of time slacked those of harder-hit nations. However, the numbers have increased consistently as of late and Putin has stretched out requests to remain at home through May 11. 

In his remarks to Putin, Mishustin spoke to Russians to "take the coronavirus infection and its spread as genuinely as could reasonably be expected," calling on his comrades to follow the administration's self-confinement arranges over the upcoming extended vacation ends of the week. 'The date when the nation can come back to typical life relies upon the self discipline of every one of us.'

Russia has announced an aggregate of 106,498 instances of the infection, with 1,073 dead. However, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin cautioned before Thursday that the capital, which leads in the quantity of influenced patients, "is, best case scenario a fourth of the route along the way" of the infection. He said the greater part of all patients in the city's emergency clinics are debilitated with the affliction.