Maldives confirms first death from COVID-19

The Maldives has reported its first death from COVID-19, Report informs.

According to the Health Protection Authority (HPA) of the country, an 83-year-old patient passed away from irregular breathing. She died while being transferred to the state-run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

Health Ministry said a test for coronavirus was taken from a woman on April 27 and gave a positive result after her death.

At present, the country has 280 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

2019–20 coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to have spread to the Maldives on March 7, 2020, from an Italian tourist who spent holidays in Kuredu Resort & Spa. The Health Protection Agency of the Maldives confirmed two cases in the Maldives, both employees of the resort. Following this, the hotel was locked down with several tourists stranded on the island. As of March 11, the island's resorts of Kuredu, Vilamendhoo, Batalaa, and Kuramathi island have also been under temporary quarantine. Schools have been closed as a precaution.