Head of Communicable Disease at Health Protection Authority (HPA) Dr. Fathimath Nazla has stated instructions from authorities regarding coronavirus, COVID-19, might change over time as the symptoms of the virus change.
Speaking to PSM News, Dr. Nazla said the public must be alert and follow instructions from authorities as they change over time since COVID-19 is a newly discovered virus. She said health authorities have only identified the virus is similar to that of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), adding investigations on the virus are still ongoing.
Providing details of Maldivians quarantined in India after being removed from Wuhan, China, Nazla said they will also be released as they have tested negative for COVID-19. Nazla further called all Maldivians residing abroad to register with the respective Maldivian embassies to ensure protection and safety. She stated it is not the time to panic although the virus has not been contained globally.
While no Maldivian has been tested positive for the virus, three individuals have been tested positive for the virus in the city of Kerala, India, which is a popular travel destination for Maldivians. Amongst the countries most visited by Maldivians, Singapore has reported most cases, with 67 tested positive, while 21 has been tested positive in Malaysia. Japan has reported 41 cases, while 34 have been reported in Thailand.
While more than 50,000 cases have been reported across the globe, health authorities report it will take time to contain the spread of the virus.