Special taskforce established in response to COVID-19 cases in Kulhudhuffushi

H. Dh. Kulhudhuffushi harbor area. (Photo/Kulhudhuffushi.com)

A special taskforce has been established from within Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) in response to the spread of COVID-19 cases in Kulhudhuffushi City.

HEOC confirmed local transmission of COVID-19 in the northern city earlier this week.

According to a statement by Health Protection Agency (HPA), President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has made the decision to establish a special team from within HEOC to oversee the COVID-19 situation in Kulhudhuffushi, and Vice President Faisal Naseem oversaw the establishment of a special taskforce and held a meeting with the members of the taskforce to implement the President’s decision earlier this Tuesday.

HPA said that the decision has been made to send a team composed of technical experts to Kulhudhuffushi.

Speaking during the meeting, VP Faisal said the team will be in charge of organizing COVID-19 response efforts in a non-disruptive manner.

“Given that Kulhudhuffushi City is a regional economic hub which caters to a population of 70,000, make arrangements in a manner that does not disrupt economic and social work, and keep in mind while making these arrangements that the health of the people is the top priority of the Maldivian state,” he said.

A police officer who presented to the Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital with flu symptoms tested positive for COVID-19 on October 5, prompting HPA to place the city, along with H. A. Dhidhdhoo, H. A. Hoarafushi, H. A. Baarah, H. Dh. Kurinbi, and Sh. Funadhoo under monitoring due to his recent travel history to police stations in each of the islands. The monitoring measures were lifted upon completion of contact tracing on October 6.

However, two more police officers in Kulhudhuffushi tested positive on October 16, prompting HPA to re-implement monitoring measures in the city.

Following the discovery of the cluster in Kulhudhuffushi, the local council has advised residents take protective measures and refrain from venturing outside their homes unless absolutely necessary.