Hinnavaru confirms COVID-19 case, placed under monitoring

An individual in Lh. Hinnavaru who was tested after exhibiting flu symptoms has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting health authorities to place the island under monitoring.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) announced on Saturday the individual in question tested positive for COVID-19 following consultation at the flu clinic in the island.

Travel in an out of Hinnavaru has been temporarily banned as authorities conduct contact tracing and case investigation.

The case in Hinnavaru comes with two additional islands in the atoll – Naifaru and Felivaru – also under monitoring following COVID-19 cases.

 Felivaru has confirmed 66 active cases while Naifaru has confirmed three cases – including a worker from the Felivaru fish cannery.

Islands outside the greater Male’ region have been experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent days. Cases have been confirmed from islands in HDh. Atoll, R. Atoll, B. Atoll and K. Atoll, and Ungoofaaru and Kulhudhuffushi – two islands which attract scores of visitors on a daily basis due to being home to regional hospitals – have also been placed under monitoring.

HPA urges residents of islands to adhere to health guidelines and wear masks.

Maldives has confirmed 23,237 COVID-19 cases. 20,529 people have since recovered, while 66 have died from complications. The country currently has 2,635 active cases.