Naifaru island in Lhaviyani atoll has been placed under monitoring.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) implemented monitoring measures in the island following the confirmation of a Covid-19 infection.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, the manager of Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital, Jaufar Abdulla revealed that Covid-19 was detected on the island after an employee at the hospital working closely with patients, tested positive for the infection and that the case is linked to the Covid-19 infections discovered in Ungoofaaru island in Raa atoll.

The Covid-19 patient is to have travelled to Ungoofaaru island on March 2 and tested positive through a random sample collected upon return to Naifaru island.

Necessary measures are currently being implemented as contact tracing proceeds.

As per protocol, island residents will not be permitted to travel elsewhere or leave the island without authorization, nor will anyone be allowed to enter the island, once monitoring measures are in effect and until further notice.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) had urged those who travelled to Ungoofaaru island after March 1, to report to the hospitals and health centers in their respective islands as soon as possible. Those who have travelled to the capital city from Ungoofaaru have also been urged to visit the flu clinics in the Greater Malé Region.

Monitoring mechanisms were implemented in Ungoofaaru on Saturday and this is the second time the island has been placed under monitoring. A Covid-19 case was confirmed through a random sampling during October 2020 as well.

Recently, there has been a spike in Covid-19 infections being reported across outlying atolls, as the country goes through an overwhelming third Covid-19 peak, which, to authorities’ best efforts, is yet to subdue. A number of measures are being implemented to help curb the spread of the virus including a nearly six-hour curfew in the epicenter Malé City and vehicle movement restrictions.