K. Male'
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19 Apr 2020 | Sun 19:02
Covid-19 testing
Covid-19 testing
Yoosuf Sofwan Rasheed
Covid-19 community transmission
First Covid-19 case confirmed in Uligan island
This is the 17th case reported on Sunday
Total number of cases in the country is now at 52
The individual is to have travelled to Uligan from the capital, on April 15

An individual from Uligan island in Haa Alifu atoll has tested positive for Covid-19.

This is the 17th case confirmed on Sunday alone, and it brings the total number of cases in the country to 52.

Authorities previously revealed that a resident of Uligan, who had departed to the island on April 15 after a few days in capital Malé City, has tested positive during Covid-19 screening.

The first community transmission case from the country was reported the same day (in Malé), after a woman (Patient 21) tested positive upon presenting to the flu clinic with Covid-19 like symptoms, despite no recent travel history.

A total of 31 cases, including Patient 21, have been confirmed in the city.

While Patient 52 travelled to Uligan on April 15, all individuals that left the greater Malé region to the outlying islands from April 15, have been told to self-isolate. The Director General of Public Health issued the order on Saturday, and they have been told to inform the respective councils of the matter as well.

Travel between islands have been banned as well, while Malé has been on lockdown since Wednesday. The lockdown will remain until April 30.

Maldives reported the first Covid-19 case on March 7. 15 of the confirmed cases are of foreigners at tourist establishments, while five are locals that returned from abroad and were quarantined immediately. While one case has been confirmed in Uligan island, the remaining 31 cases are from the capital; they are 14 Maldivians, 15 Bangladeshi and two Indian nationals.

16 of the 52 confirmed patients have recovered, and there have been no deaths thus far.

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