National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has decided not to conduct PCR tests to confirm the negative results of recovered patients in mild cases of COVID-19.
Speaking at the daily press briefing, Dr. Nazla Musthafa said the current procedure is to test recovered patients twice before releasing them. However, the doctor said several recovered patients show positive PCR results even 4-5 weeks after symptoms have disappeared. She said the latest research indicates positive PCR results do not necessarily mean the patient carries a risk of transmission, especially in mild cases.
Therefore, the doctor said NEOC has decided not to conduct PCR tests on recovered patients in mild cases. She said such patients can be released if they have undergone 14 days in isolation since the symptoms first appeared and if 3 days have passed since the symptoms disappeared. However, she said recovery tests will still be conducted on severe cases as well as individuals with weak immune systems.
Dr. Nazla said the decision will help improve the COVID-19 recovery rate in the Maldives. She noted there are individuals who are still in isolation more than a month after symptoms have disappeared.