CORONAVIRUS | A former minister and his deputy who had close contact with a Covid-19 patient have tested negative for the virus, according to the Health Ministry. 

"Lab test results done at the Sungai Buloh hospital found that both tested negative," Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah tweeted.

However, the former minister told Bernama he is undergoing self-quarantine at home.

The deputy minister is also understood to be under self-quarantine.

The two had come into close contact with patient 26, a senior leader at both Khazanah Nasional and Uda Holdings, on Feb 27.

One of the politicians is with Perikatan Nasional while another is with Pakatan Harapan.

Noor Hisham Abdullah said the patient is in isolation at the Sungai Buloh hospital and in stable condition.

Five family members and a special officer who came into close contact with patient 26 have tested negative for the coronavirus.

Further contact tracing is ongoing.