WHO’s top official in Maldives tests positive for coronavirus

World Health Organization (WHO)’s Representative to Maldives, Dr. Arvind Mathur has tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Sun is able to confirm that the test results through a credible source.

However, Health Protection Agency (HPA) has declined to comment, stating that it is against the agency’s policy to divulge personal information to the press.

Maldives is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases following the relaxation of the lockdown in the greater Male’ region – the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the country – in July.

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 coronavirus 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 4,594 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 148 new cases recorded on Wednesday. 2,706 of the patients have since recovered, while 19 have died from complications.

The country now has 1,869 active cases. 110 of the patients are hospitalized.