National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has revealed 146 samples collected from Himmafushi, Kaafu Atoll have tested negative for COVID-19.
The samples were collected to identify a possible community transmission after three COVID-19 cases were reported from the drug rehabilitation centre on the island. Following the report of cases on the island, a team from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) visited the island to obtain random samples.
As such, the team collected 37 samples from the drug rehabilitation centre, 36 from Asseyri Prison and 45 from the industrial zone in the island. It also collected an additional 28 samples from the public. NEOC said all samples that were taken from the island, including direct contacts of the three positive cases, tested negative for COVID-19.
HPA recently announced a survey to identify the level of community transmission in other local islands. In this regard, it has begun collecting random samples from across the country to identify the situation of the spread of COVID-19.
HPA stated it is collecting random samples from the correctional facilities as well, given that a large majority of the people who tested positive for COVID-19 in the Maldives were not symptomatic. The three cases from Himmafushi were also identified as part of the random sampling conducted by HPA.