COVID-19 cases in Male’ rises to 11

Health Protection Agency (HPA), on Saturday, announced two more people have tested positive for COVID-19in Male', increasing the total cases in the capital to 11, and cases nationwide to 31.

According to HPA, patient 30, same as patient 29 - is a direct contact of patient 27 – who had tested positive on Friday, after presenting to a flu clinic with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

Meanwhile patient 31 is a direct contact of patient 28.

Both are being moved to an isolation facility.

Both patient 27 and patient 28 were identified on Friday. HPA has previously stated that both were part of separate clusters – unrelated to first cluster identified in Male’ on Wednesday.

The first person to test positive for COVID-19 in Male’ – patient 21 – has neither recent travel history overseas nor contact with any other previous cases. The second to test positive- patient 22 - is a toddler – the child of patient 21. The third to test positive – patient 23 – was a direct contact of patient 21 but had presented symptoms before her. Patient 24, 25 and 26 are direct contacts of patient 23.

HPA has established that Male’ now has three separate clusters, and has urged everyone to comply with the lockdown order.

COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease. The symptoms are consistent with flu symptoms, including cough, fever and difficulty breathing. People who have any flu symptoms have been advised to call or text the hotline number 1676.