Maldives confirms first local case of Covid-19 in the country

The government has just confirmed that a Maldivian citizen has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

The positive result means it is the first time a Maldivian national has tested positive for the virus in the Maldives. Health Minister Abdulla Ameen stated that a Maldivian who had arrived from the United Kingdom on March 21 has tested positive for the virus.

The person was placed in quarantine on Holiday Island Resort on March 22. IGMH doctor Ali Latheef stated that the person was kept in quarantine since arriving from the UK, as per government procedure to place all arrivals in the country in quarantine as a safety measure, and began to exhibit symptoms of the virus on March 25.

The 13 previously confirmed cases in the country are all foreigners. Nine have made full recoveries. The positive case announced today means that Maldives has confirmed 14 cases of the virus. Six are currently receiving treatment for the virus in the country.

A Maldivian national in UAE was previously tested positive for the virus, as reported by The Khaleej Times. The news was later confirmed by the UAE authorities as well. The information about the Maldivian has not yet been communicated with local authorities by the authorities in UAE.