131 contacts of positive virus case in Uligan identified

National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has stated that 131 contacts of the confirmed case of Covid-19 in H.A Uligan (Patient 52) today have been identified so far.

The individual was tested after becoming symptomatic and was confirmed as positive tonight at around 19:00. In a press conference tonight, NEOC medical officer, Dr. Nazla Rafeeq said that131 people have been so far identified as being in contact with Patient 51.

The individual had recently traveled to Male’ City before returning to Uligan via a boat on April 15. Authorities have also begun the painstaking work of identifying those that disembarked to other islands from the boat the individual was traveling on. Boats in the Maldives usually make frequent stops to different islands when traveling, and usually carry passengers to more than one island.

The number of contacts of other positive cases was also revealed by the authorities tonight.

• Case 35: 45 contacts
• Case 36: Four contacts (more than 200 to be clarified)
• Case 37 to 49: The combined 13 cases has 68 contacts
• Case 50 and 51: 50 contacts

Dr. Nazla said that the positive case contacts previously identified from clusters would not be included in these figures since most of them were already in isolation.

The Maldives has so far confirmed 52 cases of the virus. 16 people have made full recoveries from the virus. The 16 positive cases confirmed today include 14 Bangladeshi nationals and two Indian nationals.

NEOC has stated that 13 positive cases of Bangladeshi nationals today were all employees of Lilly Enterprises and had worked and accommodated in the same location. They are all contacts of Patient 27 who is a Maldivian female employee of the wholesale section of the company.

The two Indian nationals confirmed today are not exhibiting any symptoms of the virus and were contacts of Patient 28.  The two Indian nationals are employees of Bright Brothers and worked in AC servicing.