Samples have been collected from 11 direct contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 patient.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the revelation while addressing the nation via a television broadcast on Wednesday.

Highlighting the first case of Covid-19 discovered from Male' City, President Solih stated that 11 direct contacts of the positive patient have been identified thus far and samples have been collected from them.

He noted that the individual had neither a travel history nor prior contact with a confirmed Covid-19 patient, adding that contact tracing is still underway.

All necessary measures will be taken to minimize community spread, said the President, while highlighting the 24-hour lockdown imposed in Male' City and the monitoring status declared over Kaashidhoo.

The President went onto appeal for the public to stay calm and co-operate with authorities, in order to overcome the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also assured that the country has enough food and medicine stocks to last during the pandemic and reiterated the importance of staying calm and being empathetic to fellow citizens.