Malaysia's king and queen in coronavirus self-quarantine after 7 staff test positive

Malaysia's king and queen have gone into self-quarantine following reports that seven staff members from the national palace tested positive for the novel coronavirus, according to state media.

Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin and his wife, Tuanku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, have tested negative for the virus, the palace's comptroller said on Thursday.

He added that the pair began their 14-day isolation on Wednesday.

Authorities have said they are now investigating how the workers, who are reportedly in a stable condition, contracted the virus.

Writing on her Instagram page, Tuanku Azizah said that her family are isolating in separate rooms.

Just days earlier, Tuanku Azizah shared images on the social media platform showing meals she had prepared for hospital staff working on the frontlines of Malaysia's effort to tackle the virus pandemic.

	View this post on Instagram lupa nak ambil gambar ayam berempah goreng A post shared by SPB Raja Permaisuri Agong (@airtangan_tunkuazizah) on Mar 23, 2020 at 4:43am PDT Instagram Post

In one post, she wrote: “Today's dishes to be sent to the Sungai Buloh Hospital and the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) are ayam gulai tempoyak, fried cabbage and salted egg."

The post prompted hundreds of comments praising and thanking the royal for her efforts.

Read also: Malaysia is selling 'halal' hand sanitiser to combat coronavirus - and it does not work

Malaysia has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases in southeast Asia, with 2,031 infections and 23 deaths.

The country has restricted internal movement and closed its borders to foreign travellers as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

The restrictions were due to end on March 31, however were extended on Wednesday to April 14.

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