Covid-19 community transmission believed to have started "about three weeks ago"

Authorities believe that it has been about three weeks since the coronavirus began spreading within the community.

Member of the Covid-19 technical advisory group (TAG), Dr. Nazla Musthafa, made the statement at Monday night’s press conference at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).

While the first Covid-19 case from capital Malé was discovered last Wednesday, a total of 49 cases have been confirmed from the city since, with more expected.

The doctor stated that the first case was found after authorities made the decision to increase testing at the Covid-19 flu clinics.

Noting that the transmission they estimated the community transmission to have started about two to three weeks ago, Dr. Nazla said that their aim currently is to conduct “as many tests as possible”.

She also appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities, especially in providing details of contacts, adding that this will allow them to do their work more effectively.

Noting that 80 percent of those infected are asymptomatic, Dr. Nazla said that 20 percent of them are severe with five percent critical, adding that the latter might require ventilation.

Also speaking at the press conference, Dr. Ali Latheef noted that they are not able to conduct as many test as they wish, given the difficulties in acquiring test kits and other related medical equipment as the entire world is facing this pandemic.

However, he noted that expect a number kits to arrive next week.

While 49 cases with links to the capital have been confirmed, this brings the country’s total to 69.