Latest Updates on COVID19 Situation in Maldives

Tuesday 26th of May 2020

Latest Updates on COVID19 Situation in Maldives

On 25th May, a press conference was held at Dharubaaruge, during which Spokesperson of the NEOC Mohamed Mabrook Abdul Aziz and Health Protection Agency's Medical Officer Dr Nazla Rafeeq, had provided information regarding the current situation in Maldives.

During the initial phase of easing the lockdown, private offices will not be open for approximately a month. However, gradual ease of restrictions will commence on 28th of May.

Mabrook announces that old age people will not be tested, as a vast majority of them rejects to it. Technical Assistance Group (TAG) suggested testing 5%, which is 170 people. However, out of 105 people tested, only one has been tested positive for COVID19. Regarding the first death, Dr. Nazla notes that there was delay in taking the sample, but now procedures have been improved.

It was also informed that in antibody testing, there are two factors considered. “It is checked whether the person is infected ahead of the past 10 days. Second, it is checked whether the person has been infected and then recovered from it,” said Dr Nazla.

As of Health Protection Agency’s latest updates, total number of positive cases in the country has reached 1395. There have been 4 COVID19 related deaths, with the last death taking place on 13th May. 155 patients have fully recovered while 11 patients are currently hospitalized.