Eight Maldivians who were granted travel approval to seek advanced medical treatment from India, have tested positive for Covid-19.

The Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) confirmed this during Saturday night’s press briefing.

As such, HEOC spokesperson Dr. Nazla Rafeeq revealed that two of the total cases were confirmed on Saturday and that the cases include four Maldivians who sought treatment at Amrita Hospital and four Maldivians who went to Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital.

The positive cases include both patients and their caregivers.

The government facilitated travel for Maldivian patients requiring critical treatment from abroad, after discussions with the Indian authorities. Since then, three batches of patients and caregivers from the Maldives have traveled to the neighboring nation.

Aasandha’s work is joined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will be facilitating travel of patients requiring urgent critical care that is not covered under Aasandha.

Patients as well as caregivers will only be allowed to travel after the required authorization from Indian authorities, even if it is approved by the ministry.

In addition, they will be required to obtain medical visas from the Indian High Commission in Maldives and arrange their own stay as well as quarantine arrangements.

Aasandha revealed that they provide accommodation to the patients.

A total of 285 Maldivians have been sent to India for advanced medical treatment thus far.

India closed its borders following the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is yet unclear when Indian authorities will be reopening borders.