Kuwait’s Minister of Health Khaled al-Saeed has tested positive for COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

He is now in isolation following protocols stipulated by the ministry in case of infection, the Ministry tweeted, adding that he will carry out his duties remotely.

It said Kuwait recorded 2,413 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, upping the total number of confirmed infections since the outbreak began in the country to 425,455.

Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Abdullah al-Sanad told KUNA that no new deaths due to COVID-19 complications were reported, keeping the number of fatalities at 2,469, while 264 recoveries were recorded.

The increase in the number of infections is “expected,” in light of the significant increase in cases of the Omicron variant in the world, sources said.

On Jan. 3, the cabinet decided to temporarily ban public events in closed spaces until Feb. 28, in an effort to curb the pandemic.

It also made taking PCR tests 72 hours before arriving in the country compulsory as of Jan. 4.