[ad_1]
Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told President Vladimir Putin that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, and that he temporarily left his job as a period of self-isolation began.
Speaking during a televised meeting, Mishustin recommended to Putin that First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov become the acting Prime Minister during his absence, a proposal that Putin supported.
‘I have to observe the self-isolation and follow the doctors’ orders. This is necessary to protect my colleagues, “Mishustin told Putin during the conference call, saying he would be in constant contact” on all major issues. “
According to the Moscow Times, Mishustin, 54, has played a leading role in Russia’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. He was named prime minister in January.
After the news, Putin warned during a televised debate that what happened to his Prime Minister could happen to anyone.
Another Russian news outlet, Proekt Investigative, said Russian ministers who have been in contact with Mishustin are being regularly screened for the virus, while employees must wear face masks.
Putin himself has been working remotely since the beginning of the month following a visit to Russia’s main coronavirus hospital in Moscow. The hospital’s chief physician tested positive for the coronavirus shortly after the president’s visit, according to the Moscow Times.
Mikhail Mishustin, Russia’s prime minister, pictured participating in a video conference meeting in Moscow on April 30 with President Vladimir Putin, in which he told the president that he had tested positive for the coronavirus and will begin a period of self-isolation.
At the other end of the conference call, Russian President Vladimir Putin heard the Prime Minister’s announcement that he had been diagnosed with a coronavirus on April 30.
Meanwhile, Russia’s death toll from coronavirus reached 1,000 today and its total number of cases exceeded 100,000 today after another record-breaking day of new infections.
The 7,099 new cases, surpassing the previous high of 6,411 on Tuesday, bring the total from 99,399 to 106,498, the eighth highest number in the world.
The number of daily deaths was over 100 for the second consecutive day, as 101 new deaths increased the total from 972 to 1,073.
Vladimir Putin warned that Russia is entering “the most intense stage” of the epidemic, as doctors report a shortage of protective equipment.
This chart shows the daily number of coronavirus cases in Russia, which peaked at 7,099 today, totaling more than 100,000.
Russia’s daily death toll was more than 100 for the second day in a row, as the death toll exceeded 1,000 today
Russia covers 11 time zones, but the crisis has been most severe in Moscow, accounting for 53,739 of the 106,498 cases, just over half.
Moscow has also seen 611 of the 1,073 deaths, while the region surrounding the capital is responsible for 93 others.
Saint Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia, has recorded 4,062 cases, while the Arctic region of Murmansk has 1,227.
In Siberia, the Krasnoyarsk region has also seen more than 1,000 cases, including 20 fatal cases.
Official figures say 11,619 people have recovered from the disease in Russia, but 93,806 cases are still considered “active.”
Russia is leveling up in confirmed cases, moving to Iran and China this week to move up to eighth place, although there are doubts about the numbers for those countries.
However, Russia’s death rate is low compared to many affected countries, with just one death for every 100 confirmed cases.
The equivalent figure is 13.6% in Italy, 11.4% in Spain and 15.8% in Great Britain, although only 4.0% in Germany.
Medical workers wearing protective gear carry a suspected coronavirus patient on a stretcher outside Kommunarka hospital near Moscow yesterday
Russia says it has conducted nearly 3.5 million tests, including many people with mild symptoms that are often overlooked elsewhere.
Russia is now in its fifth week of blockade that has put the economy on track for a 4-6 percent contraction, the country’s central bank says.
The collapse of oil prices due to the disappearance of world demand has also affected the country’s economy.
Putin has extended the blockade until at least May 11, warning that the peak of the outbreak was yet to come.
“The situation is still very difficult,” Putin said. “We are facing a new stage and perhaps the most intense to counter the epidemic.”
Putin said that Russia had managed to stop the spread of the epidemic, but warned that “this should not reassure us.”
A Russian Emergency Ministry worker wearing an orange protective suit and mask sprays disinfectant at a railway station in Saint Petersburg yesterday
Separately, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has extended the ban on entry of foreigners to the country, which was due to expire on Thursday.
The measure will continue until “the fight against infection has ended and the epidemic situation has improved,” says the government.
Doctors in Russia have complained about a shortage of protective equipment and test kits, while hospital staff are increasingly concerned about deaths in the medical community.
The pandemic has also thwarted Putin’s plans for a massive military parade on May 9 to commemorate 75 years since the Soviet victory in World War II.
The Kremlin also postponed an April 22 vote on landmark constitutional reforms, which could pave the way for Putin to remain in power until 2036.
Putin is currently set to hit his two-period limit in 2024, but Russia’s parliament has backed a proposal to reset the clock and allow him to run twice more.
