Russian PM isolates with virus
He is nation’s highest-ranked official known to test positive
MOSCOW — Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said Thursday that he has tested positive for the new coronavirus, becoming the highest-ranking Russian official known to have been infected.
Mishustin told President Vladimir Putin during a video call that he would self-isolate but planned to stay in touch on key policy issues. It wasn’t immediately clear when the two men last met.
Since early in the outbreak, the Russian president has minimized meetings and switched to holding daily video calls with officials.
First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov will temporarily perform Mishustin’s duties.
Mishustin, a 54-year-old former tax chief, was named prime minister in January. During the video call, which was recorded and later televised, he didn’t say if he had COVID-19 symptoms or anything about his general condition. He displayed no visible signs of illness and spoke without difficulty.
Putin wished Mishustin a swift recovery and said he hoped the prime minister would continue taking part in drafting policies to shore up the Russian economy, which has been hurt by the virus pandemic.
“What happened to you, could happen to anyone,” Putin said. “Along with other Cabinet members and colleagues from the presidential office, you have undoubtedly been in the zone of high risk.
“No matter how you limit contacts, it’s impossible to avoid communication with people while drafting decisions,” Putin said.
He asked the prime minister to call him after checking into a hospital.
Russians who have the virus but light or no symptoms of illness are allowed to stay home, and it wasn’t immediately clear if Mishustin’s hospitalization reflected the gravity of his condition or was an extra precaution.
In Russia, the prime minister oversees the economy and answers to the president.
Russian health officials reported a record daily spike of 7,099 new confirmed cases on Thursday morning, which brought the country’s total caseload to 106,498, including 1,073 deaths.
Friday marks the start of long May holidays, a period when Russians flock to country homes, meet with friends and have barbecues.