The government has decided not to conduct PCR tests on people who are infected with COVID-19, and people placed in quarantined facilities, before releasing them from quarantine and isolation.
In a news brief held by National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), Dr Nazla Musthofa said as of Saturday COVID-19 patients and people placed in quarantine are released after conducting PCR tests and when the results come back negative. She said on several occasions, the PCR tests show positive results even after the patients no longer display symptoms. She added that recent research has shown in such circumstance the virus will not be transmitted from one another.
Dr Nazla said while the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued news guideline on the matter, it states that patients may be discharged without conducting a further test after being in isolation for a certain period. Hence, the protocols followed in the Maldives have now been changed accordingly, said the doctor.
However, patients will be discharged after checking their conditions, and those whose immune system is weak will be discharged after conducting a PCR test and when the results come back negative, Dr. Nazla added.
“As per a guideline issued by WHO on May 27, the patients may be discharged without conducting a test, after asymptomatic three days and if the patients’ total isolation period has exceeded 10 days. Hence, we have also brought some changes. This means after 14 days, including asymptomatic three days, patients will be discharged without conducting a final PCR test. However, such procedures apply for patients with a normal cold; those whose situations are serious and admitted to the hospital will have to spend 21 days in isolation,” said Dr Nazla.
Dr Nazla Musthofa
