The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed that 32 islands are currently under monitoring due to the risk of widespread Covid-19.

According to the latest statistics publicized by the public health authority, the islands in which monitoring measures have been enforced for the longest period of time are Maafushi island in Kaafu atoll and Ihavandhoo island in Haa Alif atoll.

The Kaafu atoll island was brought under monitoring on 30 December 2021, with monitoring measures enforced across Ihavandhoo the day that followed.

The remaining islands on the list of 32 islands, were placed under monitoring during January.

As such, Nolhivaranfaru island in Haa Dhaal atoll was placed under monitoring on January 9, with Funadhoo island in Shaviyani atoll, Dharavandhoo island in Baa atoll, Bandidhoo island in Dhaalu atoll and Gan Island in Laamu atoll placed under monitoring on January 14.

Monitoring mechanisms were enforced in Ungoofaaru island of Raa atoll, Gadhdhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll and Hanimaadhoo island of Haa Dhaal atoll on January 16.

The measures were implemented in Guraidhoo island in Kaafu atoll and Eydhafushi island in Baa atoll on January 19, followed by Dhidhdhoo island in Haa Alif atoll on January 20.

The very next day, monitoring measures were enforced in Guraidhoo island in Thaa atoll.

Seven islands were placed under monitoring on January 22; Goidhoo island in Baa atoll, Kurendhoo island in Lhaviyani atoll, Kulhudhuffushi City in Haa Dhaal atoll, Dhanbidhoo island in Laamu atoll, Hithadhoo island in Laamu atoll, Kanditheemu island in Shaviyani atoll and Keyodhoo island in Vaavu atoll.

Monitoring measures were enforced in Thinadhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll and Kudafari island of Noonu atoll on January 23. The day that followed saw the precautions implemented in four islands; Madaveli island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll, Mahibadhoo island in Alif Dhaal atoll, Kudahuvadhoo island in Dhaalu atoll and Hulhudheli island in Dhaalu atoll.

On January 25, HPA implemented monitoring mechanisms in three islands; Vaadhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll, Milandhoo island of Shaviyani atoll and Kolamaafushi island in Gaaf Alif atoll.

Two days later on January 27, Maalhendhoo island in Noonu atoll was brought under monitoring.

This was followed by implementation of monitoring measures in Kendhoo island of Baa atoll on January 28.

Islands are placed under monitoring to evaluate the risk of Covid-19 transmission and to conduct contact tracing.

The public health authority has revealed that they will continue to closely monitor the status of islands placed under monitoring and that measures will be revoked in islands where the Covid-19 situation improves.

Recent weeks have seen spiraling Covid-19 cases across the archipelago nation, with the country’s total Covid-19 case count having surpassed 130,000 by sundown on Friday.