A total of 56 close contacts of a COVID-19 positive case involving a Foreign Ministry staff have been detected and have undergone screening tests.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said of the total, 18 involved family members of the victim while 38 were co-workers.

"So, we conducted screening tests on 18 family members as well as 38 other close contacts, colleagues and others in the office.

"We are waiting (for the results) and the positive cases have been isolated and hospitalized. In addition, 46 of them will be in quarantine for 14 days," he said at a daily press conference here on Sunday.