All 22 people who were swabbed for Coronavirus in Malta in the past few days tested negative, the health authorities said.

These were people who travelled to places which have reported cases of the virus and carried symptoms, Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci said.

Gauci was speaking on Thursday afternoon during a press briefing providing updates on Coronovirus in Malta.

"No one, in Malta, has as yet tested positive for the virus," she said.

Gauci said a number of people have been kept in quarantine. "There are two forms of quarantine; people who were at high risk as they had close contacts with a confirmed case are one kind", said Gauci. There have only been three people who were in quarantine, those who were on Westerdam cruise ship. 

The second form of quarantine is self-isolation:people who were travelling abroad in certain areas then follow 15 days of self quarantine.

The health authorities have set up a helpline for people to call regarding any necessary information on the virus or to call and see if they have the symptoms for the virus.

Gauci pointed out that unfortunately the spreading of fake news is not helping. "This is not a situation to joke about," Gauci said. "We appeal for people to take note of informative sources, such as our own guides on the symptoms and what to do to prevent from catching the virus."