Italian tourist that tested positive after returning home stayed in Maldives' capital for two days

The Italian tourist that tested positive for coronavirus after holidaying in Kuredu Island Resort, was in capital Malé City prior to his departure from Maldives.

President’s Office's new Covid-19 spokesperson, Mohamed Mabrook Aziz, announced this at a press conference on Monday.

Mabrook said that the Italian national was in the capital for two days due to an issue at the airport. He is to have stayed in Maagiri Hotel, and visited the Universal’s ticketing office while in the city.

Noting that they had learnt all this during the contact tracing process, he said that a total of 15 people that are to have contact with the patient are in self-isolation. He added that none of them have shown any possible symptoms “yet”.

While the tourist had also visited Universal’s ticketing office, one person from the office was recommended to go into self-isolation. This individual is to be transferred to the clinic in Farukolhufushi for testing and monitoring, after showing symptoms.

The government spokesperson also revealed that they are working to determine why these details were not shared with authorities, adding that the government will take required action afterwards.

The Maldives capital has been widely considered as the world's most densely populated city, and an outbreak would put the over 140,000 people -living in an area of 9.27 square kilometres- in danger.

Maldives first confirmed cases of coronavirus was discovered in Kuredu Island Resort, where two foreign workers tested positive. They were tested after showing symptoms, and after the above-mentioned Italian tourist informed of having tested positive for the virus.

The resort is still on lockdown, and will be for a period which will be determined by health experts. A Maldivian worker from the island is being tested as well, he was transferred to the isolation facility after returning home to Foakaidhoo island.

Two more Covid-19 cases were confirmed late Sunday night, bringing the country's total to four. All are reported to be recovering well.