Ministry of Health on Saturday evening announced that two employees of Kuredu Island Resort and Spa tested positive for COVID-19.

Kuredu's resident doctor and a management staff are now isolated at the quarantine facility in Farukolhufushi.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) placed Kuredu on lockdown after an Italian guest who holidayed on the island later tested positive for the virus following their return to Italy.

The two foreign expatriates are in a stable condition and efforts are underway to conduct contact tracings to identify and test individuals at risk of exposure to the virus.

During the press conference held at convention centre 'Dharubaaruge', Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen urged all Maldivians not to panic.

As per protocol, any island with a suspected case will be quarantined.

Doctors who joined the panel noted that there is a possibility of the virus spreading to other islands. Urging everyone to seek medical attention at any sign of flu, the medical professionals encouraged citizens to observe good hygiene and best practices in the prevention and management of viral infections.

When should you clean your hands:



BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER preparing food 🥘

BEFORE eating food

BEFORE & AFTER caring for a sick person 🤒

AFTER using toilet 🚽

AFTER blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing 🤧

AFTER touch animals, it's feed & waste

AFTER touching garbage 🗑 pic.twitter.com/PwnLA8PqsD — HPA Maldives (@HPA_MV) March 7, 2020 Health Protection Agency's infographic to promote good hygiene. PHOTO: HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY / TWITTER

Doctors also requested the public to rely on information from medical authorities.

Summer Island Maldives resort is also under quarantine, with four staff undergoing screenings for the virus.

Italy has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Europe, with more than 4,000 confirmed infections and over 200 fatalities.