Malaysia's King, Queen Quarantined after Staffers Test Positive for Coronavirus

TEHRAN (defapress) – Malaysia's King and Queen are currently under quarantine after seven staff from Istana Negara (their official residence) tested positive for coronavirus, national news agency Bernama reported Thursday.

News ID: 80624

Date: 26 March 2020 - 12:19

Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadli Shamsuddin said Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin and his wife Tuanku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have tested negative for the virus.

However, they decided to go on self-quarantine for 14 days beginning Wednesday, said Ahmad Fadli, The Straits Times reported.

As for the seven workers, Ahmad Fadli said they are in stable condition.

News portal Malaysiakini cited health ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah as saying the ministry is investigating how the seven got infected.

Malaysia currently has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia.

The number of infections grew by another 172 on Wednesday to 1,796, more than double the 673 tally just a week ago. Deaths have climbed from two to 21 in the same period.

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has initiated restricted movement curbs to stem the rising number of infections.

Initially the curbs were said to be in place until March 31, but it has been extended to April 14.

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