Samples have been taken for Covid-19 testing from 27 vulnerable migrant houses.

Covid-19 taskforce’s spokesperson revealed this at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC)’s press briefing on Thursday night.

Noting that 28 such houses have been identified, Mohamed Mabrook Aziz stated that samples have been taken from 27 for Covid-19 testing.

He added that this work is near completion, and that some of the individuals have been isolated after processing results.

While Dr. Sheena Moosa had at the press conference noted that the virus is spreading among two groups, these will be considered as communal living infections with many individuals living together.

Noting that there are Maldivians living is congested areas as well, the doctor said that they are between the ages of 18 to 50 “roughly”. Hence, she noted that severe cases might not be detected in the first peak.

Authorities began a community survey targeting Covid-19 vulnerable migrants in April. While they are being tested for Covid-19, Dr. Sheena had said that 80% of the individuals at a single household test positive, while 100% tested positive in some areas.

Some of the workers have already been moved to facilities, and work is underway to reclaim a 30-hectare land in Gulhifalhu to develop accommodation facilities for expatriate workers.

There are plans to conduct surveillance on local populations in the capital as well.