Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak got infected with the coronavirus

Moscow, August 18 - Neftegaz.RU. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak has tested positive for coronavirus, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin announced today.

"Let's wish him a full recovery. He arrived [for the meeting], but, as a matter of fact, he left for Moscow without taking part in. May God grant him health," Mishustin said at a meeting in Blagoveshchensk.

Currently, the minister receives treatment in a Moscow hospital. The energy ministry spokeswoman Olga Golant said that "at the moment there are no symptoms of the virus, and he feels well".

Russian Energy Ministry said Novak will join an OPEC+ ministers' videoconference on August 19, which will be held via video link, despite testing positive for the coronavirus.

The 48-year-old Novak, who has been leading the energy ministry since 2012, has been a key figure in the talks between OPEC and its leader and largest producer, Saudi Arabia, and the Russia-led alliance of non-OPEC producers in cutting deals to reduce oil production in recent years.

Russia has confirmed more than 932 493 cases today, the virus claimed the lives of 15 872 people while over 742 628 recovered from the virus.

To read the news in Russian.