KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 — Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently being treated at the Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab in Kota Baru, Kelantan.

"Yes, I’m positive for Covid-19,” he told Malay Mail when contacted today.

He said he was admitted to the Kota Baru hospital yesterday.

Nazri yesterday said he decided to go for a screening after his January 12 news conference at the Umno headquarters here, which was attended by Umno blogger Datuk Zaharin Mohd Yasin, who announced two days later that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

He added that Zaharin was very close to him though most of the others who attended the news conference observed the minimum one-metre physical distance.

Asked why he was at the hospital in KB, Nazri said: "I went for vacation right after the press conference.”

The former minister had called a news conference last week to announce his withdrawal of support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman was also at Nazri’s press conference.

A number of senior government officials have tested positive in recent weeks, including Deputy Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin (January 13); Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (January 12); Women, Family and Community Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun (January 10); Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (January 9); and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan (January 3).

Other lawmakers who have also tested positive for Covid-19 since the year started include: PAS vice-president Senator Idris Ahmad (January 15); Umno Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (January 13); Amanah Parit Yaani assemblyman Aminolhuda Hassan (January 12); Umno Galas assemblyman Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim and his wife (January 11); Umno Nenggiri assemblyman Ab Aziz Yusoff (January 9); and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Robert Tawik (January 8).