Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has stated COVID-19 positivity rate from flu clinics has started to increase once again.
Speaking at a press conference, Spokesperson of HEOC Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq said the number of cases detected from flu clinics had been on a downward trend, before cases began to increase again during the last two weeks. As such, she noted 6% samples have tested positive from flu clinics during the last two weeks, compared to 4% in the preceding two weeks. She added 31 samples out of 465 samples obtained from flu clinics last week had tested positive, representing a positivity rate of 7%.
The spokesperson said the increasing number of cases from flu clinics is an alarming sign. She said failure to comply with the guidelines of Health Protection Agency (HPA), despite the eased restrictions, can lead to more danger.
The daily COVID-19 numbers have been generally low for the past month, although cases have started to increase once again over the past few days. As such, 110 new cases were reported on November 16, which is the first time cases have crossed 100 since September 13.
Meanwhile, HPA has been conducting a mass public health inspection to ensure establishments in the Greater Male’ Region follow the health and safety guidelines. The latest round of inspection focuses on offices, schools, colleges and medical service providers. As such, 133 government offices, 42 private offices, 20 schools and colleges as well as 35 medical institutions have been inspected during this round.