Covid-19: first Maldivian tests positive

A 38-year-old Maldivian has tested positive to the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19).

The reveal was made via a press conference on Friday afternoon, by Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen.

He is to have tested positive after traveling to the Maldives from the United Kingdom on 22 March and is currently under quarantine at Holiday Island Resort.

According to the minister, he had not shown any Covid-19-like symptoms before 25 March.

The 38-year-old was quarantined immediately after returning from UK, as per protocol and tests were conducted on him.

Although a Maldivian has tested positive, Ameen revealed that this does not mean the disease will spread among the people.

As contact tracing is ongoing, the people are urged to strictly follow the regulations and measures implemented by the authorities.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the Maldives to 14 with one local and 13 foreigners. Out of the 14, nine individuals have recovered from the disease and are currently undergoing the required 30-day isolation period.

As part of the precautionary measures being taken by the government, authorities earlier revealed that arrivals will be quarantined for a 14-day period upon arriving into the country.

Further, the government has also stopped issuing on-arrival visas to all inbound tourists from Friday onwards and closed down all government offices, schools and educational institutes.