In response to the public health emergency declared over the COVID-19 outbreak, Addu City, the second most populated region in the country, established its first quarantine facility in 'Dhoogas' located in the suburb of Gan.
With a bed capacity of approximately 80, 'Dhoogas' was previously run as a guest house.
According to an official from the taskforce team put together to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Addu City, 6 beds are prepared for use at the newly established quarantine facility.
In addition, a section at the Hulhumeedhoo Health Center, located in the separate island suburb of Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo, is designated as a temporary quarantine stop. In the event an individual is required to remain in quarantine, the individual will be taken to the quarantine facility in 'Dhoogas'.
Further, a four-bed ward at the Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH) in the suburb of Hithadhoo is designated for isolation, while a newly established flu clinic will start operations on Saturday, March 21.
As Addu City gears up to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a Hithadhoo based family with a child suspected of being infected with the virus is placed in home isolation for a period of 14 days.