The first patient to be tested for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Maldives has a negative result, reveals the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

According to a press statement released by HPA on Saturday, in order to heighten safety measures against an outbreak, some critically ill patients presenting cold or pneumonia symptoms have been tested for the fast-spreading respiratory infection although they have not personally travelled or been in contact with a person who has travelled to a country where the coronavirus has surfaced.

While for diagnostic testing for COVID-19 has been arranged at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), HPA revealed that a pneumonia patient at the hospital was tested for the infection at IGMH on Saturday and that the patient's test results came back negative.

The statement also reads that there are currently no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 infection. Nevertheless, a variety of safety measures have been implemented to curb the possibility of an outbreak, said HPA.

Moreover, HPA stated that the authority has taken additional steps according to the global development of the coronavirus situation, adding that the government is closely monitoring the situation.

Furthermore, the public will receive regular updates as the situation develops, said HPA.

As such, HPA has urged members of the public to take precautionary measures such as hand-washing and stay informed about COVID-19.