A local person have tested positive for COVID-19 Corona Virus for the first time in the Maldives.

Speaking at the COVID-19 update press conference this afternoon, Health Minister, Abdulla Ameen said that the 38-year-old who tested positive returned to the Maldives from the UK on 22 March.

According to the Health Minister, the patient has been in quarantine alone since his return and showed symptoms of the illness on 25 March. Samples were collected for testing yesterday and got the result today.

Minister Ameen said that the transportation to the quarantine facility was carried out with the proper preventive procedures however, with the COVID-19 positive result, contact tracing is ongoing.

With the announcement today, the total number of COVID-19 cases found in the Maldives have gone up to 14.

So far, there are a total of five people in treatment for the illness in the Maldives while nine people have recovered.