Officials warn situation in Male' City could get worse

The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has warned that the situation in Male’ City could get worse within the next two weeks.

The warning comes after a community case that was identified in Male’ led to a swarm of virus cases from the capital. So far, 573 cases of the virus have been identified in the Maldives.

Responding to a question by a journalist regarding the repatriation of locals abroad, NEOC spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez stated that this may not happen within the next two weeks due to anticipation that the situation in Male’ could get worse during that time.

“The next two weeks are when we will be in need of the quarantine facilities to deal with the situation in Male’. Male’ City may not be the safest place within the next two weeks.” Said Mabrouq.

He added that he was aware of many locals abroad who wished to return, but stated that due to the current situation in the capital, most of the quarantine facilities were currently at full capacity. He stated that health professionals were expecting the number of those quarantined will increase within the next two weeks.

He reiterated calls made previously against traveling and advised the public to remain where they were. Mabrouq noted that the repatriation of locals abroad was still very much in the works.

Mabrouq’s warning comes after President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also made a similar warning during an address to the nation. The Maldives has so far recorded 2 deaths due to the virus, and 20 recoveries.