All samples taken from Maafushi Prison have tested negative for Covid-19.

While authorities began random sampling at the prison, 38 were taken for testing. 15 samples were taken from inmates and 23 from prison personnel. It was previously revealed that 22 of the samples had tested negative with that the remaining results were pending.

Commissioner of Prisons, Ahmed Mohamed said that the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has confirmed that all samples taken from Maafushi Prison were negative for the virus.

Further, samples were taken from an elderly inmate at Hulhumalé Prison that passed away, and his test results were negative for coronavirus as well. The 92-year-old passed away on Tuesday night, according the commissioner of prisons.

Authorities began conducting random sampling for Covid-19 after it was revealed that a community transmission might have started weeks before being detected on April 15. While such surveillance programmes are being conducted in Covid-19 vulnerable homes as well, authorities recently launched an active surveillance of older persons.