Ungoofaaru cluster: Hulhudhuffaaru confirms COVID-19 case, placed under monitoring

A person who travelled from R. Ungoofaaru to R. Hulhudhuffaaru has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting health authorities to impose a temporary ban on travel in and out of the island.

The first COVID-19 case in Ungoofaaru was identified on March 19. The island was immediately placed under monitoring, and people who travelled to Ungoofaaru after March 2 were instructed to self-quarantine.

Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) said on Wednesday that a person who travelled from Ungoofaaru to Hulhudhuffaaru on March 4 has tested positive for COVID-19.

Hulhudhuffaaru has been placed under monitoring for contact tracing and case investigation, said HEOC.

Multiple islands in central Maldives have been placed under monitoring in connection to the Ungoofaaru cluster. R. Maduvvari, R. Hulhudhuffaaru, Lh. Naifaru and K. Dhiffushi have all confirmed COVID-19 cases linked with travel to Ungoofaaru and have been placed under monitoring.

Ungoofaaru is home to a regional hospital and attracts scores of travelers from neighboring islands for medical needs on a daily basis.