National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has revealed the authorities have now begun testing people at random in Male' City in efforts to contain the community spread of COVID-19.
Speaking at the daily press conference held at the NEOC, Dr. Ibrahim Afzal from the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) stated the random samples do not consider people with symptoms and nor would they be taken following reports of symptoms or coming into contact with patients. Afzal said the random samples will be collected from people moving about around the harbours, shops, ferry terminals and the streets. He said the authorities have prioritised collecting samples from people in high-risk locations after identifying such areas.
Maldives Police Service (MPS) recently identified 18 congested shared quarters which were housing 837 expatriates, who have been put under monitoring after relocation to a more spacious environment. A number of foreign nationals have tested positive for COVID-19 during the community spread in the Maldives. The foreign nationals include 115 Bangladeshis, 17 Indians, 2 Sri Lankans, and 2 Pakistanis.