With a total of six Covid-19 infections confirmed in Ungoofaaru island of Raa atoll, over 200 island residents have been quarantined.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, island council member Hussain Asif revealed that healthcare workers are actively collecting samples for Covid-19 testing currently and that symptomatic individuals are attending the flu clinic established in the island for testing as well.

Two children are included among the six positive cases confirmed from the island.

Authorities collected over 200 samples for Covid-19 testing from the island over the past two days, Asif confirmed.

Safeguards against the virus are currently being implemented across the island under the instructions of Health Protection Agency (HPA) and the island council confirmed that they are receiving support from the island community.

Further, Asif revealed that urban development projects that are currently underway are proceeding under the safety measures and guidelines set forth to curb the spread of the infection.

Highlighting that the island community is currently preparing for the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan, Asif noted that the council is issuing special permits to island residents for essential purposes as well as fishermen on the island.

The island council has affirmed that the safety precautions have been placed in a way that assures no difficulties for the residents.

Ungoofaaru island, with a population of about 2,500, was placed under monitoring on Friday.

An elderly woman tested positive through a random sample after having travelled to the capital, Malé City a week earlier, she is currently in home quarantine.

This is the second time monitoring mechanisms have been placed in Ungoofaaru island, where a Covid-19 case was confirmed through a random sample during October 2020 as well.

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.

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.