Max Ricketts has been released from a UAE hospital after testing negative for coronavirus Covid-19.

The UAE Team Emirates rider was hospitalized for 18 days after testing positive for the virus on March 13; after two negative tests, he was finally released from the hospital.

Teammate Fernando Gaviria also tested positive in mid-March, but it has not yet been confirmed whether he has been discharged. Other players and staff who were not diagnosed with coronavirus were allowed to return home 10 days ago after a voluntary quarantine period in the UAE.

"Finally, after 18 days in the hospital, my last two Covid-19 tests came back negative and I will be discharged," Richeze wrote in a message posted on Instagram Wednesday morning in English and Spanish, and UAE Team Emirates acknowledged the news.

"I want to thank the doctors and nurses at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for fixing me and my teammates for their support. Special thanks to all who gave me messages and love!"

Richeze was Gaviria's trusted lead-out man and the two raced together on the UAE Tour until the race was cancelled on February 27.

The UAE Tour was cancelled with two stages remaining due to a suspected cobid 19 infection during the race, and all riders, support staff, race organization, and media were quarantined to a hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Two days later, 18 of the 22 competing teams were allowed to leave the United Arab Emirates, but Gazprom Rusvelo, Cofidis, and Groupama-FDJ remained quarantined in the same hotel. Cofidis and Groupama-FDJ were allowed to leave the country on March 8.

Since then, the coronavirus pandemic has spread around the world, with an increasing number of countries being quarantined to control the spread of the virus and limit the impact on the worst victims who require intensive care.

Richeze is originally from Argentina but is based in northern Italy during the racing season. He appealed to people in Argentina and South America to stay home.

"Unfortunately the virus is spreading throughout my beloved country and throughout South America.

"We need everyone's solidarity to fight the virus. #stayathome."