Palau has reported its first potential COVID-19 case.

According to the Ministry of Health, the patient is a 73-year-old female visitor from Oregon with underlying conditions. She came to Palau with the visiting Canvasback Medical Team. The patient is currently admitted in isolation and is being monitored at the Belau National Hospital.

Authorities are also conducting further investigations to determine any other potential exposures. The ministry is also sending the patient's specimen for COVID-19 confirmatory testing to a Centers for Disease Control- approved laboratory. It's also seeking testing assistance from the Republic of China - Taiwan.

Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr. urges residents to remain calm stating that at this time there is no indication that the coronavirus is responsible for the patient's symptoms or that the community has been exposed to the virus.

"There is no indication at this point that the patient is suffering from anything other than the common cold," he said.

Adelup confirms that the patient did transit through Guam but was asymptomatic at the time. It says that based on the CDC's risk assessment on the case, an "air contact investigation is not required." However, it says Guam is ready to take action if the test results change the risk assessment.