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COVID-19: Two children test positive from state orphanage

Mariyam Malsa
11 October 2020, MVT 10:42
'Kudakudhinge Hiyaa' orphanage in K.Villimale. Two children under state care in the orphanage tested positive for COVID-19. PHOTO/KUDAKUDHINGE HIYAA
Mariyam Malsa
11 October 2020, MVT 10:42

The Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC), on Saturday, revealed that two children housed at state-run orphanage 'Kudakudhinge Hiyaa' in the suburb of Vilimale' tested positive for COVID-19.

Speaking at a press conference, HEOC spokesperson Dr Nazla Rafeeq revealed that samples were collected from the two children on Thursday after they began exhibiting symptoms.

Dr Nazla went on to disclose that 89 individuals were identified as close contacts and that efforts were underway to complete COVID-19 diagnostic tests for all of them.

Meanwhile, authorities revealed on Wednesday that five employees and eight children at 'Fiyavathi', the state-run orphanage centre in reclaimed suburb Hulhumale', were also positive for COVID-19.

The Ministry of Family, Gender and Social Services has announced that it is working to decongest the orphanage, noting that 26 children will be transferred to a separate facility.

Maldives currently records a total of 10,859 virus cases of which 1,135 are active cases, in addition to 9,683 recoveries and 34 deaths.

During last month, authorities tightened the safety measures implemented in the Greater Male' region, following an alarming upsurge of COVID-19 cases after the state initiated efforts to steer the country towards a 'new normal' with the phased easing of lockdown restrictions.

After a long period of recording over 100 daily cases, the numbers remained at two-digits during the most part of September. Within this same period, recoveries saw a significant increase, bringing the total number of recovered cases to over 88 percent.

Despite the sustained decrease in virus cases, HPA has renewed calls for citizens to adhere to protective measures to contain the spread of the virus, cautioning against a public sentiment that the outbreak has been “controlled”.

On March 12, WHO classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. To date, the new strain of novel coronavirus has infected over 37.2 million people and claimed over 1 million lives around the world. However, out of those infected, more than 27.9 million people have recovered.

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