2 more recover, increasing total COVID-19 recoveries to 5

Maldivian health authorities, on Monday, announced that two more people who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 had recovered from the illness.

The announcement was made by Dr. Mohamed Ismail during a press conference at the National Emergency Operations Center this afternoon.

13 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives, all of whom are foreign nationals who were either working or vacationing in resorts or safaris. Of the 13 people, five were from Kuredu Island Resort, two from Sandies Bathala, two from Kuramathi Island Resort, two from Anantara Dhigu, and two from Island Safari-1.

The latest recoveries bring the total number of people who have recovered from the illness to five.

Dr. Mohamed Ismail said that the recovery of the five patients did not make the risk the virus posed to the general population any less.

“This does not mean the risk is any less. This does not mean we should stop staying at home or stop practicing social distancing,” he said.

He pointed out that people continued to travel to Maldives from overseas, people continued to be treated for the virus, and contact tracing to identify people who had contact with people who have tested positive for the virus remained ongoing.

“The purpose of practicing social distancing, especially right now, is because each patient may have transmitted the virus to at least two or three other people. And there is risk of the further spread of the virus from these people,” said Dr. Mohamed Ismail.  “The purpose is to break this chain.”

The best measure to control the disease at this point is to stay home, he urged.

673 samples have been tested for the virus in Maldives so far, 660 of which have tested negative.

496 are in quarantine; the vast majority of whom are people who recently returned to Maldives from overseas travel, all of whom are now required to undergo 14-day quarantine at government designated facility, with the exception of tourists who have made bookings in resorts.