Criminal investigations sought into 38th Covid-19 death

Criminal investigations into the 38th death from Covid-19 in the Maldives, have been sought at the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

The Director-General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru sought criminal investigations from the police institution on Thursday night.

The 60-year-old Maldivian employee in Kandima Maldives, a resort located in Dhaalu atoll, passed away close to 10pm on October 30 while receiving treatment at the Dhaalu Atoll Regional Hospital and authorities took samples from him as he had exhibited Covid-19 symptoms. His test results came back positive the next day, which marked him as the 38th victim of the pandemic in the island nation.

His death sparked accusations of negligence on the resort management’s end and speaking to press on Thursday night, the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC)’s spokesperson, Dr. Nazla Rafeeq had revealed that a team from the Ministry of Health had visited the resort as well as the Dhaalu Atoll Regional Hospital in an attempt to clarify information regarding the death. The visit was undertaken on November 2 and the team returned on Thursday afternoon.

Initial findings of the health ministry team had been shared with the Director-General via a report, following which the Director-General lodged the case at the police institution the same day.

Since the local employee’s death was confirmed a death from Covid-19, 50 people have tested positive in the resort including one tourist.

Since October 31, the resort has been under monitoring with restrictions in place on leaving and entering the island.