Dr. Sheena: Public compliance has led to control of COVID-19

Dr. Sheena Moosa, a consultant for the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has said that the public compliance for the instructions and the acceptance of the authoritative instructions have led to the control of the COVID-19 in the Maldives.

Speaking in a press conference at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), Dr. Sheena Moosa said that the public compliance with the instructions of the authorities was higher than what was expected.

She also added that the spread of the virus in congested living quarters and households of the country was also overestimated by the authorities. Similarly, lower figures than what was expected in people requiring ICU care and hospitalization for the virus were noticed, said Dr. Sheena.

“The most important aspect is that the public has followed the instructions of the HPA very well. Following those instructions is maybe the reason for the infection rate dropping. It will be a success when everybody starts to adhere to those instructions. Maybe that is the most important factor needed to control the virus.” Said Dr. Sheena.

Anti-bodies identified in 75 percent of tests

Dr. Sheena also stated that surveys undertaken by the authorities have shown that a large number of the migrant population in the capital had been infected with the virus and had recovered.

The surveys had led the Health Protection Authority to determine that the risk of the virus posed by such individuals was significantly low. Anti-body tests conducted had shown that 75 percent of tests had developed anti-bodies for the virus after being infected and recovering.

“This means that the rate at which the disease spreads among the public has been lowered.” Said Dr. Sheena.

She also estimated that the country could treat for the virus at the current capacity, before noting that quarantine and isolation facilities have also been prepared. 

The government had recently announced easements to the virus restrictions in the capital Male’ City.

Dr. Sheena tonight said that a reason for the easements was probably due to the increase in testing capacity and enhanced contact tracing works that could allow health authorities to identify the virus at an early phase.