A sudden loss of their sense of smell prompted Suzana Muhammad, 46, and Zainuddin Abdul Khalic, 48, a married couple from Papar, Sabah, to get tested for Covid-19.

After three days, the test results left them resigned to their fate of being positive for Covid-19, despite having no known history of close contact with another patient.

"That evening (Oct 17) we received the (positive) result but they (Papar District Health Office) did not inform whether we will be taken to a quarantine centre or hospital and they asked us to stay at home...