Former parliamentarian for Raa atoll, Ismail Zakariyya has passed away while receiving treatment for the global Covid-19 infection.

Zakariyya, native to Kanduhulhudhoo island of Raa atoll, succumbed to the virus while receiving treatment on ventilator support, at the 11th floor of Dharumavantha Hospital, revealed his son and information officer of Maldives National Defense Force, Major Ibrahim Azim.

Sources report that the former parliamentarian had tested positive for the infection on August 14, after coming into direct contact with a family member who tested positive.

He was taken to Hulhumalé Medical Facility on August 14 and moved to Dharumavantha Hospital a few days later after his condition deteriorated.

Zakariyya, 79, had served for the government for many years, having served as a parliamentarian in the 70’s and he last worked at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment.

Public health authorities have confirmed the death as the 33rd Covid-19 death.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA)’s latest statistics reveal that Maldives currently has 1,809 active cases of the virus, out of which 113 patients are hospitalized for treatment.

The country’s Covid-19 case count currently sits at 9,173.