Authorities have geared up to take random samples from Noonu Atoll Manadhoo to determine whether the island has a community spread of the COVID-19 infection.
Noonu Atoll Hospital said they were now ready to take random samples from islanders after one individual under home quarantined had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.
The hospital said that it had planned to take 50 samples from across the island.
Authorities reported that a local man under home quarantine had tested positive on the 11th of this month but found out that the person had disobeyed quarantine rules by going on fishing trips and visiting the mosque for Friday prayers before he was cleared from home quarantine.
As a result, 26 others have now been quarantined on the island, and the Health Protection Agency has placed Manadhoo under monitoring.
The Agency noted that currently 25 islands are hosting active cases of COVID-19 with Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Hoadedhoo and Madaveli joining Manadhoo under as islands under monitoring.
HPA also confirmed that 32 resorts are hosting COVID-19 cases as well including 21 tourists and 48 staff.
Authorities have reported 32 COVID-19 deaths in the Maldives since April and this includes 26 locals and 6 foreigners.
