National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), on Sunday, revealed that all staff at Kuredu Island Resort and Spa would be tested for COVID-19.
Speaking at the daily press conference held at Dharubaaruge convention centre, Communications Undersecretary at the President's Office Mabrouq Abdul Azeez stated that special procedures would be enacted for Kuredu as Maldives' first case of the virus was reported from the resort.
The 49-year old expatriate doctor at Kuredu contracted the virus after coming into contact with an infected Italian tourist that tested positive following departure.
An additional four foreign nationals were later confirmed to have the virus as well. All aforementioned individuals have now recovered.
"The Technical Advisory Group decided that everyone currently on Kuredu would be released following tests", stated Mabrouq, assuring that the decision was intended to maintain public safety.
Maldives Police Service is currently conducting an investigation into the initial spread of COVID-19 in the country to identify any possible negligence.
The police confirmed that Kuredu Island Resort and Spa's management deliberately delayed reporting the case despite Patient Zero exhibiting and seeking treatment for symptoms during his vacation at the resort. The Criminal Court has also withheld the resort doctor's passport, blocking her departure up to April 22, while the investigation is underway.
Maldives now has 20 confirmed and six active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 14 recoveries.
The World Health Organization has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The novel coronavirus has infected over 1.85 million people and claimed over 114,200 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, more than 427,800 people have recovered.
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