Maldives former President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has tested positive for Covid-19.

The 83-year-old former leader who ran the nation for 30 years revealed that he has tested positive for the infection, via a tweet on Tuesday night.

It is not clear on how Gayoom contracted the infection, and whether any other members for the family have tested positive.

The island nation has confirmed a total of 7,047 coronavirus cases since March, with 135 cases reported on Monday.