Health Minister Abdulla Ameen has said that discussions are underway to revise quarantine protocols due to the increasing number of new cases of COVID-19 being confirmed every day.
In a news brief held at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) on Saturday, Minister Ameen said protocols are being revised based on the rate of the contagion within the community. Although the positive cases are mostly detected in the capital city of Male', authorities expect the virus to spread within the atolls, and are currently working with the possible scenario in mind, said the minister.
In that regard, health experts have been discussing keeping people who do not require hospitalisation under home quarantine from among the people who contract COVID-19.
“I urge you to be ready for home-quarantine in case such a situation arises. Those who test positive in the atolls may have to be isolated in a separate island within the respective atoll”, said minister Ameen.
When a reporter asked if discussions on home-quarantine were being pursued due to the existing facilities being overburdened due to the surge in positive cases, the minister replied that is not the case.
“Home-quarantine is a way to delay the spread of the disease. It has nothing to do with the medical facilities. When the time for home quarantine comes, it will be done based on the figures. There will be challenges. However, the steps are being taken in the best interest of the community”, said Minister Ameen.
Speaking at the press briefing, Dr Ali Latheef said if the virus infects a large population of Male,’ there will be a lack of available facilities and some patients may have to be home-quarantined. However, only the people who have space to be quarantined at home will be kept at home while others will be taken to the facilities.
On Saturday, an additional eight Maldivians tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases who contracted the virus to 137.
Following the detection of a person infected with COVID-19 in Male’, the entire Male’ region has been placed in lockdown for 14 days. Minister Ameen has indicated that it will be extended.
“Considering the current situation, I do not believe that the situation will change to normal or that the lockdown could be lifted in four days' time”, said minister Ameen.
