The Maldives has recorded the first death from COVID-19.
Speaking at a press conference held at the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen revealed 83-year old Aminath Adam passed away on April 29. The health minister said the deceased patient is a primary contact of case MAV126 who tested positive for COVID-19 on April 24. Elaborating further, the minister revealed her sample was taken by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on April 28. He extended condolences to the family of the deceased.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the Maldives is at 280. On April 29, 31 patients tested positive for COVID-19, who were related to the cluster of Rasheed Carpentry and Construction Private Limited and personnel working in the development of the COVID-Village in Hulhumale'.
HPA said the Maldives has 261 active COVID-19 cases, with 3 patients undergoing treatment in the DH11 facility at Dharumavantha Hospital. Another 2 individuals who contracted COVID-19 while in the Maldives are undergoing treatment abroad. In total, 17 patients have made full recoveries in the Maldives and there have been no deaths related to COVID-19.
HPA said there are 1,289 individuals in quarantine facilities and 286 individuals in isolation facilities. HPA also revealed 7,876 samples were taken, with 6,732 samples testing negative and 867 samples pending results.
HPA has declared a State of Public Health Emergency in the Maldives until April 30 and has also extended a lockdown in the Greater Male' Region until April 14. The first death in the Maldives is recorded 53 days after the detection of the first case on March 7.