BREAKING: Russian Prime Minister Tests Positive For COVID-19

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has tested coronavirus positive (COVID-19).

On Thursday, Mishustin told President Vladimir Putin that he was diagnosed with the latest coronavirus, and that he would temporarily step down to recover.

In his absence, Mishustin, 54, indicated First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov will serve as acting Prime Minister. Putin, who in January appointed Mishustin, has backed the proposal.

“I found out that the coronavirus tests I had carried out came back with a positive result,” I need to separate myself and obey the directions of doctors. This is necessary for the safety of my colleagues.” Mishustin said.

Russia’s national count of reported cases of coronavirus soared past the 100,000 mark earlier Thursday, following a historic daily spike in new infections.

Russia outpaced China and Iran this week in the number of confirmed cases resulting from the global pandemic.