Rina Harun tests positive for Covid-19

 

COVID-19 | Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun has tested positive for Covid-19, according to a statement from her office.

The statement said Rina was tested at the Putrajaya Health Clinic yesterday morning, received her result last night, and has been warded at the Sungai Buloh Hospital since earlier this morning.

There was no mention of Rina's recent movements but it is understood that all ministers who attended last Wednesday's cabinet meeting have been told to get themselves tested for Covid-19, after Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed was found with the virus two days ago.

According to sources in Putrajaya, some 10 of them were also ordered to undergo isolation, having been identified as close contacts of the minister. 

This has led to many programmes scheduled for the ministers cancelled at the last minute, as they rush to take swab tests with some having done it yesterday after learning about Mustapa's results.

Several others have done their tests this morning or are going to do so by today. 

They include Senior Minister (Security) Ismail Sabri Yaakob; Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin; and Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad.

For the record, Mustapa received his positive test result on Saturday evening and had since been taken to the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Bharu, Kelantan for treatment.

News of the incident only came out yesterday afternoon, after his office issued a press release announcing his Covid-19 test result.

Several ministers who did their tests after Mustapa had already gotten their results by yesterday. It is learnt that several may have been found positive.

A minister, when contacted this morning, said that he also heard about the matter, but yet to know who among the cabinet members were found with the virus.

"I heard the same too. But until the Health Ministry releases the names, we also don't know who (are the ones found positive)," said the minister.

Meanwhile, another minister contacted this morning confirmed that he has been ordered to undergo isolation, but did not reveal if he has been cleared of the virus or otherwise.

"Tested. No symptoms. Ordered to undergo isolation," he said.

When asked about his fellow cabinet members, the minister said he has no idea how many others have been found positive after Mustapa. - Mkini