The public health minister of Afghanistan Ferozuddin Feroz has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the officials confirmed.

Waheedullah Mayar, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed that the test restults of Mr. Feroz returned as positive.

Mayar further added that the public health minister is currently self-isolating in his residence.

Mayar had earlier announced that the authorities have recorded 171 new positive cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, increasing the total number of the disease to 3,563.

He also added that two people died of the disease during the same period while 8 others recovered.