Cyclist Fernando Gaviria thanks 'excellent' UAE health workers after making full recovery from coronavirus

Colombian star contracted the virus during last month's UAE Tour, which was cancelled with two stages remaining

UAE Emirates rider Fernando Gaviria. AFP

Colombian cyclist Fernando Gaviria has thanked health authorities in the UAE for their "excellent work and dedication" in helping him recover from the coronavirus.

Gaviria, a key rider for the locally-based UCI World Tour team UAE Team Emirates, contracted Covid-19 during last month's UAE Tour, which was cancelled with two stages of the race remaining after two Italian participants tested positive.

Gaviria then confirmed on March 12 in an Instagram video that he, too, had contracted the coronavirus.

“I know there’s been a lot of rumours about my health,” Gaviria said. “Exams have found that I am positive for coronavirus, but I am feeling good. I want to say thanks to the team, and everyone at the hospital who have been treating me very well."

Gaviria has now provided an update on his health, posting a new photo to his Instagram account on Thursday night confirming that he has fully recovered.

"I want to thank the health team that has taken care of me in the UAE for their excellent work and dedication, and all those who have supported me during this period of convalescence and recovery," Gaviria wrote on Instagram.

"The last tests they have done have been negative and the doctors have discharged me from the hospital. Now I focus on being able to go home and meet with my family.

"I hope and wish that this extraordinary situation will pass soon so that I can return to normality."

However, Gaviria's hopes of returning to his homeland will likely have to wait, with Colombia under total lockdown until April 13 due to the pandemic. It has closed its borders and banned commercial flights from arriving.

There are now 510,108 confirmed global cases of the virus and 22,993 deaths, the latest numbers compiled by the Johns Hopkins University global dashboard show.