N. Holhudhoo under monitoring upon detection of Covid-19

Holhudhoo island in Noonu atoll has been brought under monitoring.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) implemented monitoring mechanisms in the island after the confirmation of two Covid-19 cases, linked to the cluster discovered from Felivaru island in Lhaviyani atoll.

The two Covid-19 patients were direct contacts of the Holhudhoo residents working in Felivaru who tested positive for the virus earlier.

Ahmed Farish, the person in charge of running Holhudhoo Health Center revealed that three Holhudhoo residents working in Felivaru had tested positive for Covid-19 and that their results came in after they had already left to Felivaru from their native island.

In connection to this samples were collected through contact tracing on the island and 21 individuals are currently awaiting their test results.

Holhudhoo was brought under monitoring at 11:37am on Tuesday.

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 which have since been lifted in time for the fasting month of Ramadan.

Currently, monitoring mechanisms are in effect in a number of islands in connection to the Felivaru cluster and necessary measures are currently being implemented as contact tracing proceeds in all islands under monitoring.