Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced a Maldivian and her child have tested positive for COVID-19 in Male' City. These are the first COVID-19 cases reported from the capital city and the patient are the sixth and seventh Maldivian to contract coronavirus.
In a statement, HPA revealed the individuals have been transferred to an isolation facility. Samples were taken from the Maldivian who visited a flu clinic in the capital city after the person showed COVID-19 symptoms. HPA stated the Rapid Response Team (RRT) has begun contact tracing by closing down the area the person live. In this regard, HPA revealed 54 individuals from 4 households, who have had direct contacts with the patient in Male', have been identified and isolated.
The child was among the direct contacts of the Maldivian who visited the flu clinic and was identified to have contracted the coronavirus after being isolated. Further, 10 of the 11 samples taken from direct contacts of the Maldivian who visited the flu clinic tested negative for COVID-19, according to the HPA.
Moreover, 2 individuals from Vaadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll and 2 individuals from Addu City have also been isolated after having had close contacts with the patient. HPA said efforts of contact tracing would be widen, adding more individuals could be isolated.
Citing information collected so far, HPA said the person who tested positive for COVID-19 has no recent travel history. HPA urged to respect and follow the measures imposed by the relevant authorities to contain COVID-19 in the Maldives.
Following the detection of COVID-19 in Male' City, a 24-hour lockdown has been imposed in the greater Male' region. All public transportation will be suspended during the 24 hour lockdown, and departure of all vessels docked in any part of Malé is also prohibited to leave the city during the lockdown. HPA added all unauthorised entry of vessels to the city is also prohibited.
Furthermore, after a direct contact of the Maldivian who tested positive for COVID-19 in Male' City had travelled to Kaashidhoo, the island in Kaafu Atoll has been placed under monitoring until further notice. HPA said all unauthorised entry and exit from the island is now prohibited.