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COVID-19: Gender Ministry to send care packages to islands under monitoring

Fathmath Shaahunaz
15 January 2021, MVT 21:15
Dhevvadhoo in Gaafu Alif Atoll. PHOTO/FACEBOOK
Fathmath Shaahunaz
15 January 2021, MVT 21:15

Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services on Friday commenced efforts to send care packages to families in need, across the islands in Gaafu Alif and Laamu Atolls currently under monitoring.

The islands of Dhevvadhoo, Dhaandhoo and Villingili in Gaafu Alif Atoll, as well as Gan and Fonadhoo in Laamu Atoll, were placed under monitoring this week over the spread of COVID-19 among them.

According to the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), there are total 53 cases of positive cases detected from these islands so far, out of which 43 are individuals from Dhevvadhoo, four are from Fonadhoo, two from Dhaandhoo and one from Villingili.

The gender ministry stated in a tweet that it has begun to gather information on vulnerable individuals and families living on the islands, in order to deliver care packages.

Meanwhile, many residents from various islands across Gaafu Alif Atoll have already mobilised efforts to provide food and other basic needs to the islands under monitoring, in particular the hardest hit Dhevvadhoo where local businesses and health services are being severely affected.

The COVID-19 outbreak on Dhevvadhoo was detected over a week ago after a number of individuals that travelled from capital Male’ to the island tested positive for the virus. Subsequently, Fonadhoo and Gan in the same atoll were also placed under monitoring after four individuals who travelled to Fonadhoo from Dhevvadhoo tested positive.

HEOC placed Dhaandhoo and Villingili under monitoring this Thursday, in relation to the Dhevvadhoo cluster.

The centre revealed that over 750 samples have been tested in relation to this cluster, while more than 250 contacts have been traced. They include 101 high risk contacts.

HEOC noted that safety measures were not observed during travelling in the region, which contributed to the spread of infection in the region. The authority again appealed the public to adhere to the virus safety guidelines and precautionary measures stated by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

At present, Maldives records a total of 14,325 virus cases of which 806 are active cases, in addition to 13,463 recoveries and 49 deaths.

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