Covid-19 in Russia: PM Tests Positive, 100,000 Person Infected 

By Staff, Agencies

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has been diagnosed with Covid-19. The news was announced on Thursday evening, live on national television, during a video link with President Vladimir Putin.

First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov will step in as interim head of government during Mishustin’s recovery.

It appears Mishustin - who replaced Dmitry Medvedev as Prime Minister in January - received the result of his test while at work. Earlier in the day, he headed a governmental session, conducted remotely. His diagnosis makes him the second major world leader known to have contracted the infection - after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. 

"It just became known that the tests that I've passed for coronavirus gave a positive result," Mishustin told the president "In this regard, and in accordance with the requirements of Rospotrebnadzor [the national health watchdog], I must self-isolate and comply with the instructions of doctors: I have to do this to protect my colleagues."

Putin further replied "What's happening to you now could happen to anyone.”

The Russian President assured Mishustin that no major decisions would be taken without his input while he battles the infection. Putin also noted that members of the government are at particular risk during the Covid-19 crisis as direct contact with colleagues cannot be avoided. The Prime Minister has been working from his office at Moscow's 'White House.'

Mishustin told Putin that his cabinet will continue working uninterrupted, and that he’ll keep in touch with the president. “I’m planning to remain in active contact with my colleagues via phone and video conferences,” he said. The 54-year-old has played a major role - alongside Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin - in Russia's response to the pandemic. 

He also appealed to Russians "to take most seriously" the threat of coronavirus, encouraging everyone to stay home over the May holidays.