Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Yumna Maumoon has tested positive for Covid-19.

This was revealed by the minister via Twitter on Sunday morning.

Her Tweet reads that she tested positive for Covid-19 and is experiencing fever, sore throat and body pain.

The minister went on to reveal that she is currently in home isolation.

Minister Yumna expressed worry for her parents; Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Former First Lady Nasreena Ibrahim, as well as her family.

With this being said, she urged the public to do everything they can to prevent the virus from getting to the elderly, children and those considered high-risk from complications.

The minister’s father, Former President Gayoom tested positive for Covid-19 during August 2020, with his spouse and Minister Yumna’s mother, Nasreena having contracted the virus during June 2021.

This comes at a time the president of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has also tested positive for the virus. This was revealed by the president via Twitter on Saturday morning.

In his Tweet, President Solih wrote that he learnt that he had contracted the virus after undergoing PCR testing on Friday night in order to embark on a domestic trip.

The president went on to assure the public that the is currently doing well and that he is in home isolation.

This comes at a time a trip had been scheduled for his to travel to Foakaidhoo island in Shaviyani atoll for a gathering by the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Saturday night.

Maldives is currently immersed in another Covid-19 wave following the confirmation of the new and more transmissible variant, Omicron in December 2021.

Cases have been spiraling since New Years’ and the sample positivity rate across the congested Greater Malé Region has hiked to 21 percent from three percent at the end of 2021.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) responded to the surging caseload by implementing stricter measures such as making PCR testing for outbound domestic travelers, mandatory. A ban on gatherings of more than 50 persons is also in effect. Further, spectators and supporters are not allowed inside stadiums for sports activities as well as prohibiting city and night markets from being held.