Statistics released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have shown that over 50,000 individuals have been tested for COVID-19 since the first case of the virus was detected in the Maldives.
The Maldives recorded its first COVID-19 case 116 days ago. Since then, a total of 51,576 people have been tested for the illness. The results of 755 samples are pending.
During the first days after the detection of the illness, the government opted to only test those with symptoms of the illness. At that time, authorities warned that the figures obtained from testing would not portray a true picture of the extent of community spread. Health officials had voiced concern over the number of samples being tested every day, stating that it was not adequate.
However, random sampling was later initiated, and those more susceptible to the illness and the elderly were tested. While a more rigorous testing strategy is now being used, a large number of samples continue to be tested although the government has granted eases on strict lockdown measures imposed in response to the pandemic. Over 1,200 samples were collected over the past 24 hours, a big jump from the number of samples that were being initially tested.
COVID-19 testing is being carried out at state-run Indira Gandhi Memorial HOspital, privately-run ADK Hospital and the Police Forensic Lab. After one testing machine in IGMH malfunctioned, the number of samples being tested at the hospital is now at 400-500 samples, and 500 samples at ADK. Around 145 samples are tested at the police lab.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and several countries have donated a large amount of COVID-19 test kits.
