Health authorities have commenced on contact tracing individuals from the COVID-19 positive case residence at Male' City.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, Health Protection Authority (HPA) confirmed a Maldivian local from a Male' City residence was tested positive for the viral disease.
The confirmation of the viral presence came after the individual consulted at a local flu clinic for symptoms of cold. Post tests for the presence of the virus it was revealed the Maldivian local had the COVID-19 virus.
Officials of HPA's Rapid Response Team were dispatched immediately after the confirmation of the positive case.
Meanwhile, health authorities with the assistance of Maldives Police Service have temporarily cordoned off the area where the residence is situated.
Authorities have locked down the premises of the building where the COVID-19 postive case was discovered, to commence quarantine and contact tracing on other residents of the building.
The patient has since been transferred to an isolation facility, while authorities claim the individual had not traveled out of country in recent months.
HPA have advised from Maldives public to practice extreme caution and reduce outdoor activities to a maximum. The authority have advised from the public to go out only for purposes with absolute necessity.
Reports from local media further claim the newest COVID-19 patient is a medical practitioner.
While a new case of the viral disease have been discovered, on Tuesday it was confirmed from health authorities that two Maldivians have recovered from the disease.
Until Wednesday's new positive case, the total number of cases reported from Maldivians were at 5 with 3 of them making recovery.
As per the latest case addition, the total number of confirmed cases from Maldives have reached 21 with 16 recoveries and 3 in treatment.
