Authorities request for accurate information for contact tracing

National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) Medical Officer Dr. Ibrahim Afzal has warned against misinformation regarding contact tracing which may have a devastating impact on the community.

The Health Protection Agency has requested the public to provide any information regarding the three positive cases in the populous capital confirmed yesterday. Authorities are still conducting contact tracing on Patient 21, which is the first confirmed case from the capital. Patient 22, the next confirmed case in the capital was later identified as the child of Patient 21. A third case, named as Patient 23, who was in contact with Patient 21, has also tested positive for the virus.

Dr. Afzal speaking in a news conference today stated that so far the authorities are unable to pinpoint how Patient 21 was infected with the virus and that challenges were posed in this work.

“One of the reasons why this (contact tracing on Patient 21) is so difficult is because there are so many contacts. Also, the contact tracing case has many branches sprouting out. A large number of people have to excluded when considering how Patient 21 was infected.” said Dr. Afzal.

The doctor requested the public to provide correct information regarding the cases and stated that the contact tracing work as the most important work to be done now.

“We request everyone to provide accurate information regarding the contact tracing. No one will benefit from hiding information right now. Just a massive loss…which the whole community could also be faced with.” said the doctor.

Government spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez, also speaking at the press conference added that the authorities had not established whether Patient 21, who had no travel history nor contact with another positive case, had been infected with the virus from Patient 23 or vice versa. Dr. Afzal affirmed that the two cases had met and contact tracing was being conducted for either scenario.

If the source of the virus was not located, the authorities would have to establish the basis that there is a community spread in the capital.

“When an index case is not found is the true situation community spread which is termed in other countries. If we can't find out how Patient 21 was infected, that means that there are people in the country who are infected or have been infected and recovered from the virus that we don’t know about,” said Dr. Afzal.

“After that, a true picture of community spread is formed,” said the doctor.

Following the three virus cases, a lockdown was imposed in Male’ City for a 24-hour period which was later extended and is set to expire at 15:30 tomorrow. The government has been conducting vigorous testing and contact tracing on many individuals following the positive cases

Dr. Afzal stated that the measures taken in case of a community spread would be very different from the ones being taken now. He warned that the country cannot be kept in lockdown, and the country would have to learn to live with Covid-19.

“Due to a community spread, the country cannot be kept in lockdown, so we will have to go for a second option. For instance, if a person is infected with the virus, how to live with the disease. We have to learn how to live with Covid-19.” said the doctor.

The Technical Assistance Group (TAG) would decide on the next line of action which would be announced if and when the situation comes. Doctor Afzal stated that the hope was that the index case could still be identified.

Dr. Afzal once again reiterated the advice of health professionals issued to the public for almost three months now. Frequent handwashing, good hygiene standards, and social distancing is to be practiced, said the doctor.

“A lot of assistance is required from the public at this time for the country. We can only control this if the instructions we issue are followed. Otherwise, this can get out of hand and spread to a level we cannot perceive.” said Dr. Afzal.

Mabrouq also stated that Patient 21 had exhibited symptoms of the virus from April 10. He added that the symptoms from the most recently confirmed case in the capital were identified on April 8. Contact tracing was very much focused on identifying the individuals contacted since April 6. However, information about others in contact with the cases during the last 14 days will also be collected.

A total of 305 people has been isolated following contact with Patient 21 and Patient 23 (the most recent case in the capital). 157 individuals in the High-Risk and Medium-Risk categories have been quarantined. They include 82 in High-Risk and 71 in the Medium-Risk category. 89 individuals determined as Low-Risk have been asked to home isolate.

To share or report for contact tracing please call 1676 or email to [email protected].