Maldives records first death related to COVID-19

Maldives has confirmed the first fatality of COVID-19 after an 83-year old woman passed away in the capital in the evening. She was later tested positive for COVID-19.

The woman is a primary contact of another positive case of the virus. Her samples has been for testing when she passed away in the evening. The residence of the woman in Male’ City was also kept under quarantine measures.

Speaking in a press conference tonight regarding the first death of the virus in the Maldives, Health Minister Abdulla Ameen stated that the deceased was a woman named Aminath Adam, 83 years of age and from M. Areej.

Burial rituals of the woman are carried out by a team of female officers from the Maldives National Defense Force said the Minister who added that Aminath passed away after her samples were collected for testing on the early hours of April 28th.

She was taken to the hospital in the evening of today due to respiratory issues involving difficulty in breathing and Minister Ameen stated that the deceased was connected with Case 126.

Some other members of the family had also tested positive for the virus.

“An inquiry to see if there was an oversight of the authorities in the case of the deceased will be conducted. If necessary, changes will also be brought to the standard of procedure.” Said the Minister.

Speaking at the same presser NEOC medical officer Dr. Ali Latheef stated that the authorities became aware that the patient's condition was deteriorating in the morning of today.

He added that there was no specific treatment that could be given to the patient even if the patient was taken to the hospital since the virus still had no specific treatment.

Responding to a question by a journalist, Dr. Ali Latheef stated that the deceased patient had a history of health complications such as hypertension. She had been admitted at hospitals twice for pneumonia last year.

Minister Ameen stated that the country should expect an increase in cases and even possible deaths, as is experienced by other countries in the world. The country should be prepared for this as the situation would arise in the country.

He stressed that the country was faced with a grave danger just as the whole world was due to the virus and on the importance of taking safety measures before conveying condolences to the family of the deceased on behalf of himself and the government.