Health Protection Agency HPA says a sample taken from a Maldivian national in Haa Alif Uligamu has tested positive for Covid-19 as a nationwide spread of the global pandemic now appears imminent.
In a tweet, HPA confirmed that the person would be transferred to an isolation facility. HPA added that they were establishing any links with the current cases.
This individual is the 52nd person to test positive for Covid-19 in Maldives and first to get infected from the Atolls.
Briefing the media on the updates from this case, HPA’s medical Officer Dr. Nazla Rafeeq said contact tracing of the individual has so far identified 131 contacts.
She said this number is expected rise with contact tracing work still underway.
The local had traveled via a standard passenger boat originating from Ihavandhoo of the same atoll that had docked at the island of origin along with Hoarafushi, Thuraakunu and the atoll's capital Dhihdhoo.
Officials have ordered the lockdown of 5 islands from Haa Alifu atoll including Uligamu, Thuraakunu, Ihavandhoo and Thakandhoo. Also Haa Dhaalu atoll Vaikaradhoo, Nolhivaranfaru and Hirimaradhoo has been placed under lockdown in relation to this case.
