Coronavirus: Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad hospitalised after testing positive for Covid-19
- The 97-year-old, who has a history of heart problems, has been admitted to the National Heart Institute for observation, his office said
- An aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mahathir had ‘only mild symptoms’. He has had at least three vaccine doses
“Mahathir has been admitted to the National Heart Institute for observation for the next few days as advised by the medical team,” the statement said.
His office’s statement did not provide any details of his symptoms or his condition, but an aide said on condition of anonymity that “Mahathir has only mild symptoms”.
Mahathir has received at least three doses of Covid-19 vaccine, with the last known shot in November 2021, according to earlier comments made by him and Malaysian government officials.
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Neither Mahathir nor the National Heart Institute said in January what procedure the former leader had undergone, only saying that he had been admitted to the cardiac care unit at the hospital.
The two-time prime minister, who served for more than two decades in the top post, has had heart attacks and bypass surgeries in the past.
He served as prime minister for 22 years until 2003. He returned as leader at the age of 92 after leading the opposition coalition to a historic win in 2018, defeating the party that he had once led. His government collapsed in less than two years due to infighting.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse
