15th case of Covid-19 confirmed in Male' City

A 15th individual had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus in Male' city.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) tweeted that a 15th case of the virus was identified in Male’ City.

The news means that the Maldives has confirmed 35 cases of the virus. HPA did state whether the newly confirmed case (Patient 35) is connected to any of the previous cases but did, however, state that the individual was being moved to an isolation facility.

A total of 15 cases had been identified in Male' City alone. Government spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez had previously said that the cases in Male' were distributed into three clusters. The three clusters are Patient 21, Patient 27 and Patient 28. The remainder of the cases had originated from these three cases.

It is not known whether Patient 35 is related to the clusters.

Cluster 1

Patient 21 is the first case to be identified in the capital and was tested positive for the virus after visiting a flu clinic. Patient 21 was confirmed on April 15 and has been identified as a 37-year-old woman who is a resident of M. Jareemaage. She became symptomatic on April 12.

Patient 22, a two-year-old toddler was later tested positive for the virus. Patient 22 is the daughter of Patient 21.

Patient 23, a contact of Patient 21 also tested positive for the virus. Patient 23, is a relative of Patient 21 and is aged 42. It has still not been established whether Patient 21 was infected with the virus by Patient 23 or vice versa. Authorities are still working to figure out the index (original) case in Male’ City. Patients 24, 25 and 26 who were all contacts of Patient 23 also tested positive for the virus. Patient 24 is the husband of Patient 23 and is aged 46 years. Patient 25 is the daughter of Patients 23 and 24 and is aged 15. Patient 26 is a 37-year-old woman who had contact with Patient 23.

Cluster 2

Patient 27, the second cluster from Male' City, tested positive for the virus after visiting the flu clinic as well.  Four people have been so far infected with the virus from this cluster. Patient 27 is the original case in the cluster, however, how Patient 27 was infected with the virus is still under investigation. Patient 27 was tested positive on April 17.

Patient 27 is a 36-year-old female who worked at the Velana International Airport.

Patient 29 is a direct contact of Patient 27 and has been identified as a 37-year old male. Patient 33 is a 24-year old woman.  Patient 34 is a 22-year old woman.

Patient 32 a 32-year old Bangladeshi national who is the husband of Patient 34.

Patient 29, Patient 30 and Patient 34 had later tested positive for the virus after contact with Patient 27. Patient 32 had also tested positive for the virus after coming into contact with Patient 30.

Cluster 3

The third cluster in the Maldives, Patient 28 had also tested positive for the virus after consulting with a flu clinic.  Patient 28 is a 47-year old male.

Patient 31 and Patient 33 were later tested positive after coming into contact with Patient 28.

Patient 31 is the wife of Patient 28 and is aged 37. Patient 33 is the eight-year-old daughter of Patients 28 and 31.