COVID-19 outbreak in Guraidhoo shelter prompts lockdown

A COVID-19 outbreak has been confirmed at the Home for People with Special Needs in K. Guraidhoo, prompting authorities to lock down the shelter. 

Gender Ministry announced in a statement that the shelter was locked down at 06:00 pm on Saturday. 

Both patients and employees are among positive cases, confirmed Gender Ministry. 

Gender Ministry said that the healthcare team at the shelter are taking measures under the advisement of the Guraidhoo health center and Health Protection Agency (HPA) in order to ascertain the safety and protection of positive cases, as well as other patients and employees at the shelter. 

All patients and employees at the shelter have been tested for COVID-19, and their condition is being closely monitored, said Gender Ministry. 

Gender Ministry said that those who require further healthcare are being provided access to additional healthcare services. 

“Patients who tested positive have been moved to COVID facility. Others have been isolated inside the shelter,” said the Gender Ministry in its statement. 

Gender Ministry said that enough food has been stored inside the shelter to avoid a potential food shortage during the lockdown period, and that all items employees require to reside inside the shelter during the period have been supplied. 

The shelter has also been supplied PPE kits and other protective gear, and additional medicine and consumables are scheduled to be delivered this Sunday.