COVID-19: Maldives records first death related to virus

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

The Minister conveyed his condolences to the family of the deceased. 

Minister Ameen says 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.

Dr. Ali Latheef: If positive cases keep on increasing, home quarantine could be the only option.

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 in hospitals twice for pneumonia last year.

Dr: Ali Latheef: Priority will be on testing High-Risk individuals.

Dr. Ali Latheef: We do not recommend large crowds attending funerals when the city is in lockdow due to the virus, however, we will not explicitly prohibit it. 

Testing capacity has been increased to 400 tests per day, says Minister Ameen.

Any issues regarding delays in the process would be reviewed and resolved, says Minister Ameen.

Work is being done to speed up the contact tracing work, says Minister Abdulla Ameen.

Dr. Ali Latheef: Individuals in residences under monitoring mechanisms would be requested to report if they develop symptoms such as fever or cold.

Dr. Ali Latheef stated that there was no specific treatment that could be given to the patient even if the patient was taken to the hospital. Treatments such as IV fluids are what could be provided, since the virus still had no specific treatment. 

Minister Ameen: The deceased patient would be buried in one of the currently used cemeteries. No designated location. 

Minister Ameen: It does not seem that there was a failure of the monitoring mechanisms in the deceased patient's case.

Dr. Ali Latheef: Authorities became aware that the patient's condition was severe in the morning. 

Dr. Ali Latheef: We do not believe that the patient passed away due to the failure of the authorities to provide a specific treatment.

Minister Ameen: Inquiry will be there to see if there was an oversight of the authorities in the case of the deceased. If necessary, changes will also be brought to the standard of procedure. 

Minister Ameen has announced that he has just been informed that two staff of IGMH has been quarantined. The Minister stated that it is not known whether the quarantine of the staff were connected with any specific case. 

Minister Ameen has admitted that the sample testing process needs to be sped up regarding High-Risk individuals within direct contacts of positive cases.

Three patients are in severe condition. However, none of their conditions are so bad that they need the assistance of ventilators, says Dr. Ali Latheef.

Dr. Ali Latheef: Currently there are five individuals in the DH11 facility of Dharumavantha Hospital.. Three have complications.

Out of the current cases, 15 percent could become critical, says Dr. Ali Latheef. He added that this could mean that condition of around 40 patients could become severe. 

NEOC medical officer, Dr. Ali Latheef has stated in the presser that the current number of confirmed cases in the Maldives has risen to 280. 

Minister Ameen stated that the deceased was connected with Case 126. Some other members of the family had also tested positive for the virus.

She was taken to the hospital in the evening of today due to respiratory issues involving difficulty in breathing. 

Aiminath died after her samples were collected for testing on the early hours of April 28th. 

Burial rituals of the woman are being carried out by female officers from the Maldives National Defense Force. 

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen has officially confirmed the first death of COVID-19in the Maldives. The Minister stated that the woman was named Aiminath Adam (83 years). 

It has been revealed that the residence of the woman is M. Areej. The house was under quarantine measures when the woman had passed away.

Samples had been collected by the authorities before the women had passed away since she was a primary contact of a positive case. The samples were received tonight confirming that the woman had indeed passed away due to COVID-19. The woman passed away in the evening.

The press conference to be held by the authorities regarding the first death of COVID-19 in the Maldives has been delayed to 1:30.