Individual quarantined in Fuvahmulah tests positive for COVID-19

An individual in home-quarantine in the southern city of Fuvahmulah has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Fuvahmulah City deputy mayor Mohamed Liraar told Sun the individual was tested upon completion of the 14-day quarantine period.

“Samples were taken yesterday upon completion of the 14 days. HPA informed today that the result is positive,” he said.

Liraar said the individual in question was quarantined with family members, and that contact tracing has begun to identify others who may have been exposed.

Further details regarding the case are unclear at this point.

Heath Protection Agency requires all those who travel from the greater Male’ region to residential islands to undergo 14 days of mandatory quarantine and testing clearing them of COVID-19 before they are allowed to mingle with the local population.

Several people who have travelled to residential islands from Male’ – which is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases with the relaxation of the lockdown – have tested positive in recent days.

Following the surge in cases, authorities implemented additional restrictions on Tuesday, including imposing a temporary ban on travel of persons from Male’ to other residential islands, except those who travel to the capital to access essential services such as healthcare.

Wearing masks when out in public in the greater Male’ region and residential islands with confirmed COVID-19 cases is now mandatory, and the wearing of masks in all residential islands, including those with no confirmed cases has been declared highly recommended.

Maldives has 4,446 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 153 new cases recorded on Tuesday. 2,693 of the patients have since recovered, while 19 have died from complications.

The country now has 1,719 active cases. 105 of the patients are hospitalized.