Maldives Transport and Contracting Company MTCC says the COVID-19 facility currently under construction in Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo is on scheduled to be completed by next month.

In a tweet, MTCC said that it had begun the construction work on the facility on the 25th of this month. It also said that the 22-bed facility is scheduled to be completed on 14th October.

With the establishment of the facility in Thinadhoo, the Atoll would have its own COVID-19 facility. The nearest facility is currently established in Gaafu Alifu Atoll Villigilli.

But the need for a facility in one of the most populated Atolls in the country rose after the islanders from Villigilli refused to allow the transfer of a COVID-19 patient from Thinadhoo.

Currently, there are 7 COVID-19 facilities spanning five regions across the country. The COVID-19 facility in Haa Alifu Atoll Ihavandhoo has the capacity of 3 while the COVID-19 facility in Shaviyani Atolls has the capacity to treat 20 COVID patients at once.

There are COVID-19 facilities in Baa Atoll, Laamu Gan, Gaafu Alifu Villigilli, Fuvahmulah City, and Addu City.

The Facility in Villigilli is currently treating 8 COVID-19 patients but still has a vacancy of 35 according to the Health Protection Agency.