Health Ministry initiates probe into virus death

National Emergency Operations Cneter (NEOC) has announced that an inquiry by the Health Ministry into the first death of COVID-19 in the Maldives has begun. 

Minister Ameen stated last night that a probe will be conducted into whether there was any negligence or oversight by the authorities regarding the deceased virus patient.

The Maldives confirmed the first death related to COVID-19 last night. The deceased is named Aminath Adam who was 83 years of age.

“The Health Ministry has begun an investigation into the case. Details of the case are now being obtained and being conducted.” NEOC spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez stated in a news conference tonight.

Mabrouq added that the deceased patient (Case 280) was connected with another positive case (Case 126). Case 126 in turn, was connected with Case 72.

“Due to the positive case of Case 72, the residence of Case 280 was placed under monitoring mechanisms. The reason why the building was brought to monitoring was that two drivers of MHA were living on another floor of the building.” Said Mabrouq.

After the building was brought to monitoring status, samples were taken from Case 126, who tested positive. Case 280 was identified as a direct contact of case 126. Internal systems of NEOC had shown that requests to collect samples from Case 280 for COVID-19 were made on April 27, said Mabrouq.