Kulhudhuffushi City has been placed under monitoring in connection to the Covid-19 cluster confirmed in Lhaviyani atoll.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA), revealed that a patient referred to Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital from Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital tested positive for the infection and that contact tracing is currently underway following the confirmation of the Covid-19 infection.

Naifaru island in Lhaviyani atoll was placed under monitoring following the confirmation of a Covid-19 case on Tuesday. The patient had travelled to Ungoofaaru island in Raa atoll earlier in March and tested positive upon return to Naifaru. Monitoring measures were placed in Ungoofaaru island on Friday.

A total of three Covid-19 infections have been confirmed from Naifaru thus far and a case linked to the cluster has since been discovered from Hinnavaru island in the same atoll as well. One of the patients from Naifaru had travelled to the capital Malé City and tested positive through a release sample after completing the required quarantine period.

Covid-19 cases were confirmed in Ungoofaaru island on March 20 and HPA urged those who travelled to Ungoofaaru island after March 2, 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.

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

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.

Currently, monitoring mechanisms are in effect in Lhohi island in Noonu atoll, Thoddhoo island in Alif Alif atoll, Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu atoll, Nilandhoo island in Faafu atoll, Meedhoo island in Dhaalu atoll, Huraa island in Kaafu atoll, Dhiffushi island in Kaafu atoll,  Maduvvari and Hulhudhuffaaru islands in Raa atoll and Felivaru island in Lhaviyani atoll.

Necessary measures are currently being implemented as contact tracing proceeds in all islands under monitoring.