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Friday 15 Nov 2024
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
Anantara Kihavah Villas.
Three resorts and one local island in the country are being monitored by the authorities after suspected cases of the Covid-19 virus were identified from the locations.
HPA announced that a foreign national exhibiting symptom of the Covid-19 virus from the resort of Anantara Kihavah Villas was placed under isolation by the authorities in the Maldives last night. HPA stated that the resort was now under monitoring mechanisms and was temporarily restricted.
The resort of Gili Lankanfushi is also being monitored by the authorities after a suspected case of the virus was identified. The person was being kept at the resort for now and tests were being conducted, according to HPA.
The local island of A.A Mathiveri was also restricted access as the authorities conduct tests on two suspected cases identified on the island. government spokesperson Mabrook Azeez informed that the two cases were foreigners. The island is a popular spot for local tourism and is home to a number of notable guesthouses.
Currently, three resorts in the country, as well as the local island of Mathiveri, are being monitored. In addition to Mathiveri, the resorts being monitored are aaaVeee Nature's Paradise, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru and Gili Lankanfushi, due to pending results of suspected cases. Kuredu Island Resort, where the first case of the virus in the Maldives was identified is still in the orange alert level which means access to the island is restricted.
A local, exhibiting symptoms of the disease, after arriving back from Slovenia was also isolated by the authorities last night. Mabrook Azeez informed the media last night that the local was identified after attending the travel flu clinic based in Male’. The clinic was established for people with symptoms of the virus or flu and had a travel history.
There is also a separate clinic for those without a travel history and a separate clinic for expatriate workers.
A local man in contact with a positive case of the Covid-19 from Anantara Dhigu resort was also tested negative, according to HPA. The person was located in the suburb of Hulhumale’ after being in “close contact” with the case tested positive in the resort.
One of two locals who were isolated by authorities after arriving back in the Maldives from virus-hit Spain also tested negative for the virus. A local man was taken into isolation by the authorities after symptoms of the virus were identified from him at the Velana International Airport. The man had arrived via a Qatar Airways flight on March 15. HPA did not confirm whether the person tested negative was the person on the flight. Spain is one of the worst-hit countries in Europe with the virus.
Currently, there are 14 people in the isolation facility of Farukolhufushi and 11 people in the Vilivaru quarantine facility. None of the cases tested positive are locals.
In a previous news conference, Mabrook also informed the media of the nationalities of positive cases identified in the Maldives.
Total: 13 cases
Nine of those tested positive for the virus are receiving medical care in the designated center in Farukolhufushi. Two elderly Italian tourists who tested positive for the disease are being treated in the Dharumavantha Hospital's DH11 specialized care unit. They were moved due to their old age and recommendations of medical professionals to keep them under close supervision.
The two cases tested positive from the safari boat remain at sea until they reach a designated center to be isolated.
The government has announced a 30-day period of public health emergency to effectively contain the virus in the country. Public parks and squares have been closed and schools, colleges, and universities across the country were also closed as part of the measures.
In one of the most recent measures, Gyms in the greater Male’ area also closed due to Covid-19 cases. The decision was announced in a press statement issued by gyms and fitness centers yesterday.
Tourist excursions to local islands and inter-resort travels have also been suspended temporarily.
Despite the virus originating from China, no Chinese nationals have tested positive for the in the Maldives. China is the biggest tourist market for the Maldives and is the worst-hit country with Italy, Iran, and South Korea also reporting a large number of infected cases. The Maldivian government had restricted flights from the nation after cases of the virus began rising.
The Maldivian government also announced further travel restrictions to a number of countries hit with the virus. The restrictions apply to Bangladesh, regions of France, regions of Germany, Spain, Italy, China and two regions of South Korea as well as Iran.
In Germany, travel restrictions were placed on the states of Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg. These states are home to major cities in the country such as Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Munich. In France, the regions under restrictions are Grand Est and Ile de France.
It is estimated that more than 162,687 people have been infected with the virus worldwide. An estimated 6,065 people have died due to the virus.
