83-year old contact of virus positive case passes away

National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has announced that an 83-year old individual who was a contact of a positive case of COVID-19 has passed away.

NEOC spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez stated in a press conference tonight that samples were collected from the individual. and that the test reults were currently being processed. It is not yet confirmed whether the individual passed away due to the virus.

Mabrouq stated that the individual who passed away was a contact of a positive case who was receiving treatment for a long-term illness.

“The TAG team (Technical Advisory Group) will meet to provide details on whether the case is connected with COVID-19.” Said Mabrouq.

He added that samples were collected from two other individuals who passed away in the southern island of G. Dh. Thinadhoo. One of the individuals had been admitted for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI).

The individual was buried after Tayammum, which is the Islamic act of dry ritual purification using purified sand or dust, which is performed in place of ritual washing for the deceased.

The authorities in collaboration with religious scholars have set out guidelines on the burial procedures and purification rituals of the deceased in cases of COVID-19. The guidelines state that the deceased in cases of COVID-19 should be purified through the process of Tayammum.