Over 50 people who came in contact with the local who tested positive for COVID-19 in Male' have been placed in isolation.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA)'s medical officer Dr. Nazla Rafeeq on Wednesday said a detailed contact tracing is currently ongoing, and all locations the patient visited and all people she met are being identified.
In this regard, 54 people who had direct contact with the patient have already been identified and placed in isolation, said Dr. Nazla. Other 50 secondary contacts have also been identified and asked not to leave their homes, said Dr. Nazla. If needed, they will also be isolated, she added.
While Kaashidhoo island in Male' atoll has been placed on temporary lockdown, four homes in Male' are being assessed, in addition to some individuals in southernmost Addu city, and Vaadhoo island, said Dr. Nazla.
The patient has no recent travel history, and had no direct contact with any person infected with COVID-19, said HPA. The available data indicates this is a case of community transmission, said the national task force.
Dr. Ali Latheef during the press conference held Wednesday said how the patient contracted the illness has not been identified thus far. However, it is likely that the patient was infected through an asymptomatic person already infected with the virus, he added.
Male' city has been placed on a 24-hour lockdown following the detection of the virus in Male' city. Effective from 3.30 pm on Wednesday, movement within the city has been completely restricted, and all public transport services have been stopped. HPA said as per the new measures enacted in Male' city, departure of all unauthorized vessels docked in any part of Male' city is also prohibited.
