Monitoring measures back in place in Kulhudhuffushi with new COVID-19 case

A new COVID-19 case has been confirmed in H. Dh. Kulhudhuffushi, prompting health authorities to re-impose restrictive measures in the city.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has sent a notice to the Kulhudhuffushi Council, informing of the decision to re-impose restrictive measures in the city, starting 09:45 pm this Monday.

HPA has prohibited travel in and out of the city until it informs otherwise.

Sun has been able to confirm the new case is patient who presented to the OPD of Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital.

The patient was tested after presenting to the hospital with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 on Sunday. The results came back negative earlier this Monday.

In a press conference at Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) on Monday evening, spokesperson Dr. Nazla Rafeeq identified the new patient as a police officer stationed in Kulhudhuffushi.

Nazla said the officer has no recent travel history to Male’ City, but has recently visited police stations in several islands in the region.

HPA has therefore imposed restrictive measures in five additional islands to conduct contact tracing in connection to the case. The islands are; H. A. Dhidhdhoo, H. A. Hoarafushi, H. A. Baarah, H. Dh. Kurinbi, and Sh. Funadhoo.

The re-imposition of restrictive measures in Kulhudhuffushi comes after measures imposed following COVID-19 cases connected to a boat, Faalhu, which travels between Male’ and Kulhdhufushi were lifted on September 28.

The first case linked with Faalhu, the captain of the boat, was identified on September 25, prompting HPA to implement restrictive measures in both Kulhudhuffushi and H. Dh. Nolhivaram, where the boat had made a stop to before travelling to Kulhudhuffushi. Two more of the boat’s crew, and one of their direct contacts also tested positive the same week.

All four cases linked with Faalhu boat were from Kulhudhuffushi, and none of the contacts tested from Nolhivaram had tested positive.