COVID-19 cases linked with wedding reception rise to 78

COVID-19 cases linked with a wedding reception held in Male’ City in December has risen to 78.

The wedding reception in question took place at the SHE building on December 20. The reception was attended by 120 guests, some of whom were already exhibiting symptoms.

According to information released by Health Protection Agency (HPA), positive cases linked with the reception has risen to 78, rising from 67 on December 30.

In a press conference by Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) on December 30, spokesperson Dr. Nazla Rafeeq said that 229 people have been identified as contacts, 68 of whom are symptomatic.

The positive cases in the cluster include both guests and family members of the newlyweds.

HPA has asked that functions such as wedding receptions be held in accordance with the agency’s guidelines; those with flu symptoms must avoid such functions, masks must be worn, invitations must be issued to a limited number of guests to ensure social distancing can be maintained, the location must have proper ventilation, and special arrangements must be made for serving food.

Maldives has 13,804 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 47 new cases on Friday. 13,150 have since recovered, and the country currently has 599 active cases.

25 patients are hospitalized.