The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has revealed that three out of the Bangladeshi nationals repatriated from the Maldives had tested positive for the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking to press on Monday, the Covid-19 task force spokesperson, Mohamed Mabrook Aziz revealed that authorities found out two of the evacuees were positive to the virus, after they had boarded the flight for repatriation.

As such, some of the individuals who had provided samples through active surveillance were repatriated after tests were done.

Three such individuals had tested positive for the virus.

Evacuees are required to undergo a quarantine period of 14-days upon arrival in Bangladesh and authorities have since discovered that evacuees are released under the country’s testing strategy as all individuals are not tested before departure in the Maldives and some results remain pending even after departure.

Over 2,000 Bangladeshi nationals stranded in the Maldives have been repatriated thus far and this number includes undocumented workers as well as those who seek repatriation.

As of Monday, the highest number of Covid-19 cases has been reported from Bangladeshi nationals, totaling 1,155 which is 52% of the total; 2,217.