Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir is in the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19

According to a statement sent by his office on Wednesday, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been admitted to the hospital for monitoring. He is 97 years old (Aug 31).

According to the statement, “Mahathir has been admitted to the National Heart Institute for observation for the next few days as indicated by the medical team.” However, the statement did not include any other information regarding the symptoms or state of his health.

The nonagenarian leader of the nation, who has served as prime minister for more than two decades, has a history of cardiac difficulties. He has been hospitalized for heart attacks and undergone bypass surgery.

According to statements made in the past by Dr. Mahathir as well as officials from the Malaysian government, he has been vaccinated against COVID-19 with at least three different doses, with the most recent one taking place in November 2021.

In December of the previous year, he was admitted to the National Heart Institute for “a comprehensive medical check-up and further observation” before an elective surgical surgery that was performed on January 8.

Dr. Mahathir and the National Heart Institute did not disclose what procedure the former leader had undergone at the time. Instead, they merely stated that he had been admitted to the cardiac care section of the hospital.

The National Heart Institute stated at the time that he will have follow-up appointments scheduled “as and when required in the near future.” He was finally discharged from the hospital in the beginning of February after spending many weeks going in and out of the facility.

Dr. Mahathir held the position of prime minister for a total of 22 years, until his resignation in 2003. At the age of 92, he resumed his post as premier after guiding an opposition alliance to a historic victory in 2018, which resulted in the defeat of the party that he had previously led.

However, internal strife brought about the downfall of his government in fewer than two years.