Health Protection Agency (HPA) has placed three islands under monitoring following the detection of COVID-19 cases. In this regard, HPA said Dhuvaafaru in Raa Atoll, Kudafari in Noonu Atoll and Hulhudhuffaaru in Raa Atoll have been placed under monitoring.
In Dhuvaafaru, three individuals who were released from home quarantine have tested positive for COVID-19. The Dhuvaafaru Health Centre said 11 individuals were released from home isolation on July 19 after they tested negative for COVID-19. The health centre stated three of the samples tested positive from the four samples collected afterwards. Dhuvaafaru Island Council said efforts are ongoing to identify their contacts and test them as the three individuals contacted have made contacts with a number of others.
Meanwhile, Kudafaree Island Council has confirmed an elderly person from the island has tested positive for COVID-19. The 90-year-old local male was transported from Kudafaree to Manadhoo and then to Male' City for treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). The council said the case was identified when he travelled back to Kudafaree. The council said 30 individuals who had contacted the elderly man have been identified and isolated.
Furthermore, a 29-year old local male from Hulhudhuffaaru also tested positive for COVID-19. Hulhudhuffaaru Island Council said the case was identified when his sample was tested after completing the home quarantine period. The council revealed he had made no contacts with any other individual.
Furthermore, the council revealed contact tracing is being done on the island in relation to the positive cases in Dhuvaafaru. The council appealed to the public to cooperate with the authorities in the efforts and to stay indoors.
Meanwhile, traveling in and out of Dhuvaafaru and Kudafari have been restricted by the HPA. The special task force in both islands have temporarily restricted gatherings and congregation prayers.