Health Minister: Backlog of 3,000 COVID-19 samples, working to resolve delays

Health Minister Ahmed Naseem has stated that the Maldives had a backlog of around 3,000 COVID-19 tests pending. 

The Minister was speaking in the parliament today when he stated that a large number of tests were still pending due to difficulties in testing capacity. 

During the Ministerial questioning session in the parliament today, the Minister said that due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in different regions of the nation, sample collection was also increased, according to the Minister.

Due to this, 3,000 tests remained pending and the Minister emphasized that discussions had been held to resolve the issue. 

Many islands and local authorities have expressed concern over the delays faced in testing.

Lawmakers also questioned the Minister over why testing arrangements were not made in different regions of the Maldives at more risk of a wider outbreak, due to confirmation of cases from multiple islands, such as the Ungoofaaru cluster. 

The Minister in response said that such arrangements would be made in Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital within two months and the government was continuously working to resolve the delays in testing.