JUST IN: Russian Prime Minister tests positive for COVID-19
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Mishustin on Thursday informed President Vladimir Putin that he had been diagnosed with the new coronavirus and will be temporarily stepping down to recover.
Mishustin, 54, suggested that First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov serve as acting prime minister in his absence. Putin, who appointed Mishustin in January, supported the proposal.
Russia this week overtook China and Iran in the number of confirmed cases arising from the global pandemic.