People who travelled on Amaazu boat on April 15 asked to report themselves to HPA

National Emergency Operations Center, on Saturday, asked people who travelled on board the passenger boat Amaazu on April 15, which had carried passengers from Male’ to islands in H. A. Atoll, Sh. Atoll and N. Atoll, to report themselves to the health authorities.

The boat had departed from Male’ on April 15, prior to the lockdown on the Greater Male’ Region and the nationwide ban on all non-essential travel.

At the NEOC press briefing on Saturday night, IGMH doctor, Dr. Ibrahim Afzal confirmed the captain of Amaazu boat, case 133, a 49-year-old Maldivian male, had tested positive for COVID-19.

Dr. Afzal said 98 people had travelled on the boat on April 15 and 16, 51 of whom had been identified through contact tracing.

“There are passengers on the Amaazu boat which departed from Male’ at 3:00 pm on April 15 which we have yet to identify through contact tracing. We appeal that they call the HPA hotline provide information for the purpose of contact tracing,” he said.

Dr. Afzal said that based on initial findings, passengers who travelled on the boat are now situated in different residential islands; six islands in N. Atoll, four islands in Sh. Atoll, and two islands in H. A. Atoll.

“The list of the islands to which [passengers on] the boat travelled to, based on the information available are; Maafaru, Henbadhoo, Milandhoo, Velidhoo, Kendhikulhudhoo and Holhudhoo in N. Atoll. The boat also travelled to Sh. Atoll. Passengers from Sh. Atoll who travelled on board the boat are now in Narudhoo, Funadhoo, Feevah, Milandhoo, Maaungoodhoo. And passengers are also in H. A. Dhidhdhoo and Utheem,” he said.

The islands are now under monitoring, with travel in and out of the islands restricted.

Restrictions are also in place on Male’ City and eight other residential islands.

“There is risk of additional clusters in connection to this case. Contact tracing is being carried out at a rapid space as we speak,” said. Dr. Afzal.

Virus cases in Maldives, fueled by the community outbreak in the capital, have now risen to 141.

____

Note: Passengers who travelled on Amaazu boat may contact HPA by calling its hotline 1678 or emailing to [email protected]. mv. Passengers may also call local health centers.