Malaysia’s king and queen are under quarantine after seven palace staff members tested positive for coronavirus.

King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and his wife Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have both tested negative for the infection, but will isolate for 14 days out of an abundance of caution the palace said.

Meanwhile the infected staff have been taken to hospital as officials try to work out the source of the infection. The palace is also being disinfected.

Malaysia has more than 2 000 confirmed cases of coronavirus with 235 reported on Thursday, making it the hardest-hit country in Southeast Asia.