Maldives Police Service (MPS) has stated Kuredu Island Resort informed Health Protection Agency (HPA) about the Italian tourist, who was tested positive for coronavirus after he left Maldives, although no suspicions regarding the COVID-19 were raised during the phone call.
Speaking in a press conference, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riyaz said the recording of the phone call made by the doctor at Kuredu has been retrieved for the ongoing investigation. Referring to the call, Assistant Commissioner Riyaz stated the doctor inquired from HPA about the guidelines followed by the government regarding COVID-19 and whether the special watch-list of countries have changed.
The Italian tourist arrived in Maldives on February 23. MPS revealed he was under medication when he came to Maldives and consulted the doctor when he fainted in the restaurant at Kuredu on February 26. He was released after treatment the same day, according to MPS.
However, the following day the tourist visited the doctor due to throat irritations, adding it has been learnt that he had no fever that particular day. MPS added the doctor instructed him to undergo COVID-19 test as he was symptomatic. It has been found the tourist refused to do the test. Therefore, he was asked to bed rest after prescribing medicine.
Furthermore, the assistant commissioner stated the doctor discussed with the management of the resort to report the case to HPA, revealing the management decided not to report a single case as other tourists also consulted the doctor. Riyaz said the doctor called the hotline of HPA and inquired information about the procedures followed regarding suspected COVID-19 cases.
MPS stated the tourist consulted the doctor at the resort on February 28 and 29 during which the doctor said his health was improving. The tourist went to Velana International Airport (VIA) on March 1 to return back to Italy. However, the captain of the flight refused to carry him since he fainted while at the airport. He then came to Male' City, stayed at Maagiri Hotel and left the next day. MPS stated since the tourist does not speak English, he was communicated through a resort staff. The resort contacted the tourist and sought information after he left Maldives.
There have been 5 positive COVID-19 cases from Kuredu since the departure of the tourist. Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has ordered MPS to conduct a criminal investigation over negligence in sending off a tourist infected with COVID-19.