33 virus cases with no links to existing clusters heighten fears of a wider spread

Home Minister Sheikh Imran Abdulla says 33 virus cases with no links to any other existing clusters had been found in Male’ on Friday alone; something which he said health authorities warned indicated a wider spread of the virus than previously believed.

In light of the information released by National Emergency Operations Center last week, the 33 cases on Friday increases total independent virus cases found in Male’ to 39.

96 virus cases were identified on Friday, coming after a week of comparatively low numbers which many had hoped was a sign of success in flattening the curve.

The surge in cases came after health authorities warned of a significant surge in cases over the next two weeks.

Friday’s numbers also served to establish the virus had spread within households, another warning which the health authorities recently issued.

Those who tested positive on Friday included three children, one of whom was a boy of seven months.

“33 cases found today, in particular, have no links to existing clusters. The 33 cases force us to acknowledge the virus has spread to all corners of Male’,” said Imran, in an interview to RaajjeTV on Friday.

Imran said the 33 independent cases signaled an escalation in infections, and that the government was therefore deliberating on strengthening existing measures.

He also indicated the President would make executive decisions regarding the subject soon.

“Given the danger in this, given the criticalness, everyone must accept that we may have to face [Dr. Sheena Moosa’s projections] even tomorrow.  The damage, if we don’t face the changes such a situation will bring and bear which the hardship and heartbreak, could be far worse,” said Imran.

Imran said the government had therefore suspend its program to allow those stranded in Male’ to return to their home islands.

He said that given the extent to which the virus had spread within Male’, anyone in the capital would be potentially infected, and allowing them to other islands will spread the virus within the atolls and causing more damage.

At a NEOC press briefing on Thursday, consultant Dr. Sheena Moosa said Maldives was expected to experience its first surge in the end of May with 1,600 cases, straining ICUs.

The latest projections indicate Maldives could experience 77,305 infections, 13,568 hospitalizations, and 5,805 critical cases requiring ICU treatment.

Maldives currently has 744 infections, 20 recoveries and three fatalities.