MALE, Mar 8 (NNN-PSM) – Two patients tested positive for the COVID-19 in the Maldives on Saturday, making it the first cases of the virus to be reported in the island country, local media reports, quoting the Health Ministry.
Health Minister, Abdulla Ameen, confirmed the news at a media briefing, saying that the two cases were employees of the Kuredu Island Resort.
Tourism Minister, Ali Waheed, said that, both employees were foreign nationals and the authorities had begun conducting “contact tracing” on the island.
Waheed further said, the status of the country had been raised to “yellow” while the resort’s status was raised to “orange,” following the confirmed cases. The resort has been placed under lock-down.
Two islands in the Maldives, including Kuredu Island, are currently placed on lock-down due to fears of the virus.
All transportation to and out of the islands has been temporarily suspended by health authorities, local media reports said.– NNN-PSM
