Dr. Murad: Don’t take this lightly; the risk may rise at any moment

Dr. Moosa Murad, a leading physician at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), on Tuesday, urged the public not to take the threat of a local outbreak of COVID-19 lightly, warning that the situation in Maldives, which remained less serious compared to neighboring countries, could change at any given moment.

During a press conference at the National Emergency Operations Center this afternoon, Dr. Murad said that while Maldives had yet to face serious virus cases, it must learn lessons from the catastrophic experiences being seen from other countries across the world.

“We have announced that some of the patients here have tested negative. Other patients are also stable. But I take this opportunity to make a public appeal, don’t take this lightly. Even though the people who tested positive [from Maldives] may not have suffered complications, we continue to read about, and see, the dangers this disease poses through newspapers and other mediums. We see how the countries experiencing mass outbreaks are struggling,” warned Dr. Murad.

He said the risk of the virus may rise at any moment, and urged the public to adhere to the instructions of health experts and health authorities.

“I urge you to listen to the messages being delivered by doctors from other countries who are experiencing this at close hand, and comport our actions in a manner which prevents us from having a similar experience,” said Dr. Murad.

 13 people have 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.

Five have since recovered, but continue to be closely monitored at isolation facilities.

Maldivian health authorities have expressed concern over the disregard of many to the repeated instructions to stay home and practice social distancing.

They warn the recoveries of the five patients, and the success in containing the virus so far, did not make the risk the virus posed to the general population any less.