Ministry of Health has placed a Maldivian under quarantine on suspicion of contracting coronavirus.
Speaking to the press, Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen confirmed a 20-year-old Maldivian man has been placed under quarantine and is being screened for the virus. The health minister said the man is being screened for the virus as he had recently been to a meat market in Xiamen, China, where about 100 people have been tested positive for the virus. However, the minister said the man placed under quarantine had not travelled to Wuhan City or Hubei Province, which is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.
The health minister further revealed the man is being kept at the isolation unit established in Funadhoo, Kaafu Atoll, adding he will be kept in isolation until it is confirmed he does not carry the virus.
The doctors' team who attended to him said the tests conducted on him so far indicate he is in relatively good health, although he has been showing some symptoms of common flu. The doctors said his samples have been sent abroad for further tests to confirm the presence of the virus in his body.
Ministry of Health has said guidelines of World Health Organisation (WHO) are followed in placing individuals under quarantine in Maldives. In this regard, the ministry said individuals will be placed under quarantine if they display signs or symptoms of the virus within 14 days of traveling to China. The criteria for quarantine also includes showing symptoms such as fever, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of having contact with a suspected victim of coronavirus.
The ministry advised any individuals who fit the criteria to immediately seek medical assistance and to avoid getting in contact with people.