National Emergency Operations Center NEOC spokesperson Mohamed Mabrook Azeez says the two deceased individuals in Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo had tested negative for Covid-19.
HPA had taken samples from an 87-year-old and 78-year-old to test for Covid-19 after they died while under treatment at Thinadhoo hospital. The two patients were being treated for breathing difficulties and were on ventilators.
Speaking to the media, NEOC Spokesperson Mabrook confirmed that both their samples tested negative for the highly contagious virus.
The family of the 87-year-old from Gaafu Dhaalu Madveli who died at Thinadhoo Hospital has posed controversial questions regarding the treatment given to the deceased. They said up until the patient was dead, doctors and nurses treating the patient did not inform the family that the patient was a suspect Covid-19 case. With the patient treated in the ICU for three days, family members have aimed criticism at the hospital for failing to test the patient for Covid-19 sooner.
In a statement regarding this case, Thinadhoo hospital said the 87-year-old patient was treated for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and that the hospital had shared this information with the Health Protection Agency. It said as per the advisement of HPA the patient was tested for Covid-19 on Sunday and that the person died while the hospital was readying to transport the patient to Male’ on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Police had said the case had also been brought to their attention and the patient’s last rites were carried out as per HPA guidelines. Police also said the family of the deceased has not formally lodged a complaint at police.
