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COVID-19: HPA places JA Manafaru Maldives Resort under monitoring over suspected virus case

Ali Shareef
25 March 2020, MVT 15:53
JA Manafaru Maldives Resort is under monitoring and temporary lockdown over a suspected case of COVID-19 involving a local. PHOTO: MIHAARU
Ali Shareef
25 March 2020, MVT 15:53

Health Protection Agency (HPA) on Wednesday placed JA Manafaru Maldives Resort under monitoring over a suspected case of COVID-19 involving a Maldivian national, and imposed temporary lockdown.

The health agency confirmed that samples were taken from a Maldivian national at the resort, reported to have exhibited symptoms of COVID-19.

The agency revealed that, as a precautionary measure, the individual is currently under home-isolation.

As per protocol, the island is being monitored and will be on temporary lockdown until the agency receives the test results of the suspected case.

Maldives, like many other countries, has moved to quarantine a number of areas with suspected cases, isolating suspected and confirmed cases alike. However, despite significant public pressure to do so, and although all movement from resorts to islands is now restricted, the country is yet to issue a lockdown blocking all incoming travel from other countries.

As such, resort employees currently face the highest risk of exposure to the virus.

Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi, Adaaran Club Rannalhi, and Reethi Beach Resort along with Bodufulhadhoo Island, Alif Alif Atoll and the liveaboard 'Equator' remain under monitoring over suspected COVID-19 cases.

Maldives now has 13 confirmed and eight active cases of COVID-19, with five recoveries. So far, only tourists and resort employees have confirmed infections in Maldives with no record of local transmissions within the country. The first Maldivian tested positive for the virus in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The World Health Organization has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The novel coronavirus has infected more than 423,700 and claimed over 18,900 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, more than 109,100 have recovered.

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