[France24] Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Thursday said he tested positive for Covid-19 and will self-isolate to protect other cabinet members."I have just learned that the test on the coronavirus I took was positive," Mishustin said in a video meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting a deputy takes his place while he self-isolates.
Mishustin suggested that Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov should serve as acting prime minister in his absence. Putin supported his proposal and signed a decree appointing Belousov as a temporary replacement.
Russia has so far recorded 106,498 cases and 1,073 coronavirus-related deaths.
Mishustin, 54 was named prime minister in January following the resignation of Dmitry Medvedev. Putin's choice of an obscure former tax service chief to replace Medvedev came as a surprise to most Russians.