Seventh case of Covid-19 confirmed from Male' City

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced just now that a seventh case of Covid-19 has been confirmed in Male' City.

The news comes shortly after HPA announced the sixth case earlier today. The agency also announced two positive cases last night. A total of four positive cases have been announced by the HPA in 24-hours.

The authorities have not specified whether the most recent case (Patient 27) was in contact with any of the previous cases.

The government has just now announced a 14-day lockdown of Male’ City following the confirmed cases.

Case: MAV027

Samples taken from a Maldivian national has tested POSITIVE for #COVID19.

This is the 7th person to became POSITIVE for COVID-19 in Malé.#StayHome #StaySafe

— Health Protection Agency (@HPA_MV) April 17, 2020

Patient 21, the first confirmed case of the virus in the populous capital was a resident of M. Jareemaage. The next case of the virus, Patient 22 was later tested positive and identified as the child of Patient 21. Patient 23, the third case of the virus in the capital, had been in direct contact with Patient 21, according to the HPA. Authorities are still working to determine exactly how Patient 21 was infected with the virus. It has still not been confirmed who “Patient 0” or the index case in Male’ City is.

The two cases confirmed last night were both direct contacts of Patient 23. The government is conducting vigorous testing and contact tracing following the confirmed cases. Those who tested positive for the virus are in the isolation facility in Farukolhufushi. 14 symptomatic others were also moved to the isolation facility in Hulhule’ Island Hotel after coming into contact with the positive cases.

A total of 305 people has been isolated so far following contact with Patient 21 and Patient 23. 157 individuals in the High-Risk and Medium-Risk categories were quarantined. They include 82 in High-Risk and 71 in the Medium-Risk category. The confirmed cases late last night (contacts of Patient 23) are individuals from the in the aforementioned categories. 89 individuals determined as Low-Risk have also been asked to home isolate.

The Maldives has so far confirmed 27 cases of Covid-19. These include seven from Male' City while the remainder were tested positive from quarantine or isolation facilities, resorts, and safaris.