Coronavirus cases in F. Nilandhoo rise to 4

Two more people have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Nilandhoo, a residential island in F. Atoll being monitored by Health Protection Agency (HPA) following virus cases.

HPA placed Nilandhoo under “monitoring”, restricting travel in and out of the island, on Friday, after two people under home quarantine after traveling from Male’ City tested positive for the new coronavirus.

The two latest cases are also people in home quarantine after travelling from Male’ City.

HPA confirmed the two new cases on Friday night.

HPA identified the two new cases as a 36-year-old Maldivian woman and a 56-year-old Maldivian woman. They were tested upon completion of the mandatory 14 day quarantine period.

The two previous cases were a 30-year-old Maldivian man and a 43-year-old Maldivian man.

The two new cases increase confirmed coronavirus cases in Nilandhoo to four.

HPA requires all those who travel from the greater Male’ region to residential islands to undergo 14 days of mandatory quarantine and testing clearing them of the new coronavirus before they are allowed to mingle with the local population.

Several people who have travelled to residential islands from Male’ – which is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases with the relaxation of the lockdown – have tested positive in recent days.

Following the surge in cases, authorities have implemented a temporary ban on travel of persons from Male’ to other residential islands, except those who travel to the capital to access essential services such as healthcare.

Wearing masks when out in public in the greater Male’ region and residential islands with confirmed coronavirus cases is now mandatory, and the wearing of masks in all residential islands, including those with no confirmed cases has been declared highly recommended.

Maldives has 5,572 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 78 new cases recorded on Friday. 3,010 of the patients have since recovered, while 22 have died from complications.

The country now has 2,540 active cases. 150 coronavirus patients are hospitalized.