Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has revealed most of the frontline workers who tested positive for COVID-19 were from the airport.
Speaking in a press conference, Epidemiologist at Health Protection Agency (HPA) Dr. Ibrahim Afzal said the trends of community spread have changed since the lockdown. Dr. Afzal stated during lockdown, more expatriates were testing positive compared to locals, although the number of expatriates testing positive following the lockdown has remained consistent. He noted the number of locals testing positive for COVID-19 has been increasing at an alarming rate since the lockdown restrictions were eased. Further, he explained most of the COVID-19 patients are aged 18-40 years with the majority being males.
Dr. Afzal further revealed most of the COVID-19 cases detected recently include frontline workers, teachers and students attending classes in schools and colleges. Dr. Afzal said frontline workers have been more prone to the virus with the increase in movements since the lockdown was lifted. He said most of the cases detected among frontline workers were airport staff, while a number of healthcare workers, military personnel and police officers have also tested positive lately.
Highlighting the number of cases in the Maldives increased in August compared to July, Dr. Afzal said contacts of positive cases and the number of samples testing positive from flu clinics have increased. He added the number of cases reported among patients undergoing treatment for long term diseases such as heart diseases, lung diseases, diabetics and cancer is also increasing.
So far, Maldives has reported 7,578 cases of COVID-19, including 2,625 active cases. 28 people have died from COVID-19 in the Maldives.