Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin contracts coronavirus

Moscow:Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin was on Thursday tested positive for the deadly novel coronavirus that has already claimed over a thousand lives in the country.

According to news agency Sputnik, Mishustin told President Vladimir Putin that he had gotten the coronavirus and would now go into self-isolation.

"I have just learned that I tested positive for the coronavirus. In this regard and as demanded by [the consumer health watchdog] I will now have to go into self-isolation and do what doctors tell me," Mishustin told Putin.

Mishustin has suggested Andrei Belousov, the deputy prime minister, to act as the head of the government temporarily. Putin has signed the decree on Belousov's appointment.

Government spokesman Boris Belyakov said that Mishustin will be treated for coronavirus infection at a medical care facility. "Mikhail Vladimirovich will be admitted to a medical institution and placed under medical observation," Belyakov told reporters.

The Prime Minister held a video conference with President Putin and said he would remain in touch with the government as it continues to coordinate coronavirus response. The cabinet will stick to the working schedule. It plans to meet on May 7.

His spokesman said Putin had been informed about his condition as soon as the test results arrived. The prime minister limited all in-person contacts several weeks ago, he said. His contacts will be isolated and tested for the virus.

Mishustin's diagnosis comes as Russia's number of coronavirus infections surpassed 100,000 in a record one-day surge.(UNI)