Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi said he had contracted Covid-19 and was suffering severe symptoms.
"Today, my tests confirmed that I have Covid-19, despite taking all the necessary precautions and respecting the health protocol. Severe symptoms, I ask God for safety for everyone," Mr Jerandi announced in a tweet on Monday.
He said becoming seriously ill had made him more committed to providing Tunisians with vaccinations against Covid-19.
Tunisia has had more than 197,000 Covid-19 cases, including 2,059 reported on Thursday. The death toll from the disease rose by 80 to 6,234, the Health Ministry said, with 2,165 cases admitted to hospital, including 418 in intensive care.
The pandemic has also affected Tunisia's economy, with its vital tourism industry grinding to a halt.
Demonstrators have clashed with police across the country in the past week during protests over the economic conditions.
Tunisia’s economy is estimated to have contracted by 8.2 per cent in 2020, resulting in higher poverty and unemployment, the International Monetary Fund said last week.
More than one in three people are unemployed, according to the World Bank, while consumer prices continue to increase.
Although the IMF expects Tunisia’s GDP growth to rebound to 3.8 per cent this year as the effects of the pandemic-induced economic crisis begin to wane, it said considerable downside risks remain because of the uncertainty surrounding the duration and intensity of the pandemic and the timing of vaccination programmes.
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Protesters and police square off on Avenue Habib Bourguiba on Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National -
A young protester washes her eyes with Coca-Cola after being pepper sprayed by police in downtown Tunis Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National -
Police shoving protesters after deploying tear gas. Erin Clare Brown / The National -
Protesters and police square off on Avenue Habib Bourguiba on Tuesday. Erin Clare Brown / The National -
Antigovernment protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National -
Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National -
Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National -
Anti-government protests in downtown Tunis, Monday, January 18, 2021. Erin Clare Brown / The National -
Protesters stand amidst fumes as they block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP -
A scene of overnight clashes between members of the Tunisian security forces and rioters following a protest in the working-class Ettadhamen neighbourhood on the edge of the capital Tunis. Clashes broke out for a third consecutive evening in several Tunisian cities, pitting stone-throwing youths against security forces despite a tight lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus. A decade on from the revolution, many Tunisians are increasingly angered by poor public services and a political class that has repeatedly proved unable to govern coherently. AFP -
Security forces gather during clashes with demonstrators, at the scene of a protest against living conditions and unemployment in the Tunisian city of Siliana, the capital of the governorate of the same name, about 130 kms southwest of the capital Tunis . Tunisian security forces arrested dozens of young people after disturbances during two consecutive nights in the capital and other cities, the interior minister said. The troubles come amid a nationwide lockdown imposed since January 14, as part of efforts to curb the spread of infections by the coronavirus. AFP -
Demonstrators clash with security forces during a protest against living conditions and unemployment in the Tunisian city of Siliana, the capital of the governorate of the same name, about 130 kms southwest of the capital Tunis. Tunisian security forces arrested dozens of young people after disturbances during two consecutive nights in the capital and other cities, the interior minister said. The troubles come amid a nationwide lockdown imposed since January 14, as part of efforts to curb the spread of infections by the coronavirus. AFP -
Protesters stand amidst fumes as they block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP -
Protesters block a street during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP -
Members of Tunisia's National Guard sit atop an armoured personnel carrier preparing for clashes with protesters in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP -
Tunisian security forces members wearing civilian clothing ride a motorcycle while one carries anti-riot arms ahead of clashes with protesters in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP -
A police vehicle drives along a road blocked by protesters during clashes in the Ettadhamen city suburb on the northwestwern outskirts of Tunisia's capital Tunis amidst a wave of nightly protests in the North African country. AFP -
Police officers face demonstrators during clashes with security forces in the Ettadhamen city suburb of Tunis, Tunisia. A wave of nocturnal demonstrations has rocked the country since 16 January. EPA
