COVID-19: 8 Maldivians in India for medical care test positive

Eight Maldivians who travelled to neighboring India for medical care under the sponsorship of public health insurance provider Aasandha have tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) said that two of the cases were identified this Saturday.

The eight Maldivians who tested positive include four who went to Amrita Hospital and four who went to KIMS Hospital.

The two cases this Saturday follow two cases - a patient and caretaker – who tested positive on Friday. They were from the latest batch of patients and their caretakers to be sent to KIMS Hospital.

The earlier four cases were from the second batch of patients and their takers sent to India, on July 14; one patient and three caretakers. Three among them, including the patient, have since recovered.

India’s public health guidelines require that patients and their caretakers who are sent to the country test negative for the coronavirus prior to boarding. They are also tested before returning to Maldives.