Two Italian nationals who were in quarantine before leaving the Maldives have tested positive after their departure.

Speaking at the COVID-19 update press conference this afternoon, Health Minister, Abdulla Ameen has said that two of the samples taken from high-risk individuals have tested positive. He said that they left the country and are going to Italy after completing 14 days in quarantine.

Minister Ameen said that a Maldivian who returned from the UK on 22 March has also tested positive and is currently at the quarantine facility at Holiday Island Resort. The Health Minister said that the local was tested for the illness after he showed mild symptoms.

This is the first Maldivian to test positive for COVID-19 in the Maldives. The first Maldivian to test positive for the illness was a man in the United Arab Emirates.

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