Covid-19: safety measures in K. Huraa, Lh. Naifaru extended

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has extended precautionary measures implemented across Huraa island in Kaafu atoll and Naifaru island in Lhaviyani atoll, as a safeguard against the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The extension is for a period of five days.

HPA implemented the precautionary measures against Covid-19 in both islands on March 31, following a major Covid-19 outbreak across Lhaviyani atoll.

Naifaru was placed under monitoring due to the Felivaru industrial island Covid-19 cluster, on March 23. The first positive case from the island was detected after an employee at the island’s hospital contracted the virus.

Up until Wednesday, a total of 165 Covid-19 cases were discovered in Naifaru island, out of which three patients have observed full recoveries, leaving 161 cases as active cases.

One of the patients is hospitalized for treatment at the Covid-19 facility and one death was also reported. Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital reports that they are currently awaiting 52 sample results.

Further, authorities have detected 161 Covid-19 cases from Huraa island by Wednesday. The total number of Covid-19 recoveries reported from the island is at 29 with which there are 132 active Covid-19 cases in Huraa.

Out of the samples collected from Huraa for Covid-19 testing, authorities are currently awaiting results for 42 samples.

Under the measures implemented in both islands, HPA has prohibited island residents from going outdoors unless for essential purposes. The island residents are also not allowed to gather in groups more than three individuals, nor attend parties and events.

Other measures include halting dine-in services at cafés, restaurants and other food outlets as well as the closing down of schools, gyms and physical fitness classes and activities.

Island residents have been urged to strictly adhere to the guidelines in place when acquiring services at banks as well as taxi services.

Physical classes at schools, colleges and universities are also banned under the measures.

Police officers and healthcare workers as well as taskforce officials are exempt from the measures implemented, HPA revealed.