President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made a tearful appeal on Wednesday, following confirmation of the first Covid-19 case in Maldives’ congested capital.

Authorities confirmed that a local from Male’ City tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday morning; the person, who has had no recent travel history, was tested upon presenting to Male' flu clinic with flu-like symptoms on Tuesday.

While this led to the Director General of Public Health issuing a 24-lockdown in the capital, the president addressed the public in the afternoon and stressed the importance of “staying home”.

President Solih urged the public to treat each other with care, and remain patient and assist each other according to the letter and spirit of Islamic teachings.

Noting that a vaccine is yet to be found for the novel coronavirus, the president also stressed that “the biggest preventive measure is staying home”.

He further urged all to follow instructions of authorities and health experts, and thanked the health workers and other essential workers that have been working on the frontline since the start.

While an individual with no travel history and no known contact with a Covid-19 patient has tested positive in the capital, President Solih emphasized that work is underway to determine the source.

As such, 11 samples of direct contacts are being tested currently, and contact tracing is underway in Kaashidhoo island- where a direct contact of the patient had recently travelled- and the island has been placed under monitoring with unauthorized entry and exit from the island prohibited.