Deaths in Thinadhoo unrelated to COVID-19

National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has announced that two deaths in the southern island of G.Dh. Thinadhoo is not related to COVID-19.

In a press conference tonight, NEOC spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez stated that test the test results of the two individuals that passed away had returned as negative.

One of the deceased was named as Hassan Ahmed from the neighboring island of G. Dh. Madaveli. He passed away due to a SARI infection (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) on April 28 after receiving treatment at the Abdul Samad Memorial Hospital in Thinadhoo.

Health Minister Ameen has said that samples for COVID-19 would be collected from individuals who pass away in critical condition even if they do not exhibit any symptoms of the virus.

The deceased patient from Madaveli was buried after the Tayammum burial rituals were conducted due to the patient being a suspected case of COVID-19. The family of the deceased has, however, accused the authorities of delaying the collection of samples from the deceased.

A statement issued by the hospital in Thinadhoo read that it had followed the guidelines issued by the Health Protection Authority regarding such cases.

The hospital had shared information regarding the patient with the authorities and samples were collected from the individual on Sunday for surveillance purposes. The individual passed away on Monday night as arrangements were being made for transporting the samples to the capital Male’ to be tested.

The family has also stated that the deceased had not traveled to any location this year and the island of Madaveli was never placed under monitoring mechanisms.

Due to the difference in how the case was handled, the family questioned why the doctors and nurses of the hospital were not in quarantine since the deceased was suspected for the virus.

IN a statement issued, the hospital stated that all the staff at the hospital’s ICU had taken the appropriate safety measures as soon as samples were collected from the individual.