COVID19 - Weekly Situation Report 23 April 2020 As
Description: COVID19 - Weekly Situation Report 23 April 2020 As of 23 April, a total of 89 cases have tested positive in the Greater Male area, since the first case was reported on 15 April 2020. The authorities have so far identified over 2300
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slide1. COVID19 - Weekly Situation Report 23 April 2020 As of 23 April, a total of 89 cases have tested positive in the Greater Male’ area, since the first case was reported on 15 April 2020.
The authorities have so far identified over 2300 contacts through contact tracing but have not yet identified initial source of contraction, with the patient having not travelled or interacted with a positive case. On 16 April the case was acknowledged as the first recorded case of community transmission.
Alert levels were raised to red (level IV) and a temporary lock down has been implemented effective 1530 on 15 April 2020 For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org<br>
slide2. Impact Economic Sector
The Maldives Trade Union Congress (MTUC) issued a statement that Government should “prioritize and protect worker rights and ensure decent work for all, with the inclusion of the migrant worker population”.
1,150 cases have been filed in the Job Portal at the Ministry for Economic Development. Health & Social Sector
The Greater Male’ area lockdown was extended for a period of 14 days to 1 May.
A total of 189 buildings, 26 shops, and 8 islands have been placed under monitoring status restricting exit and entry in greater Male’.
The rising number of cases reported have required tracing, testing and quarantining of many people. As at 23 April, over 2300 people have been identified through contact tracing.
A nationwide ban on congregational prayers is in place until further notice. Ramadan commences 24 April 2020.
Repatriation of 71 Maldivians from Nepal and Bangladesh was organized by the Bangladesh military.
An appeal by Government and man social media commentators is being made to avoid stigmatizing people coming from quarantine or otherwise affected by the virus.
There are increased concerns of COVID-19 transmission in prisons and other places of detention due to significant overcrowding. Political Sector
Senior members of the ruling coalition and Opposition parties appealed for “solidarity” in the face of “an unprecedented challenge “and urged political differences to be set aside
Islamic State (IS) reportedly claimed responsibility for an arson attack on 16 April in A.Dh. Mahibadhoo using incendiary bombs. A number of arrests have been made.
Corrections officers and an inmate were reportedly injured during an incident in Maafushi Correctional Facility Unit 9. For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org The lockdown has brought to light the issue of homelessness in Male’, on the first day 24 people were provided shelter by the Government.
Related to adequate housing, a number of tenants in Male’ have reported forced evictions due to inability to pay rent. The 2016 Household and Income Survey showed that more than 60% of people in Male’ are renting their homes.
Personal details including names and photos of ‘purported’ patients were circulating on social media, causing significant anxiety in the community.
Sentiments of hate speech and xenophobia have been observed and are slated to increase, with cases of verbal and/or physical attacks primarily against the migrant Bangladeshi community.<br>
slide3. Government Response Economic Sector Health & Social Sector Political Sector . OPEC Fund for International Development pledged an emergency loan of US$20 million for the Maldives
IMF has announced a US$29 million bailout under its Rapid Credit Facility for Maldives.
Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture announced that fishing could continue but boats would not be allowed to dock at other islands apart from their own.
Agricultural produce is also cleared for delivery between islands without disembarkation of passengers.
The Government of Bangladesh donated 100 tonnes of food & medicine to Maldives.
The Government has imported a stock of medicines and food from Dubai.
President Solih discussed the crisis with the UN Secretary General, appealing for debt and emergency relief support. The Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions requested the Speaker to fast track the special bill on Local Council Elections.
Of the 200 prisoners identified by Maldives Correctional Service as eligible for executive clemency, 105 were granted a special pardon by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on 18 April 2020. Government offices will remain closed until end of April.
Aasandha Company Ltd. established 9 online clinics in health centres in Male’ region and 1 in Addu City.
HPA suspended all non-essential travel between all islands while cargo shipments will be overseen by the island councils.
HPA circulated a policy on disclosing patients’ details, highlighting that only the HPA Director-General has the authority to disclose details under specific circumstances
Police & HPA advised people to desist spreading false information, and encouraged the public to respect to all in the community, such as migrant workers.
Police and Male’ City Council commenced are identifying overly congested migrant workers quarters, and are providing screening and tests by rapid response teams for people with respiratory symptoms.
Shelter and food was provided to over 60 people who were stranded in a joint effort by the Police, City Council, line Ministries, Maldives Red Crescent and CSOs.
An online system has been established by police to support people who need to go out for essential needs.
The Human Rights and Gender Committee of the Parliament discussed the issue of evictions and homelessness with the Auditor General on enacting a sunset law prohibiting eviction and increasing rents.
The Government has launched a household registration portal to update information on current addresses and the number of people living in each house/apartment. In addition, information on the number of elderly and individuals needing special care will be collected to tailor effective responses to special needs. For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org<br>
slide4. UN Actions Emergency Health Response & Procurement of Public Health Supplies
WHO:
Technical support to NEOC for forecasting and simulating the impact of a pandemic surge in the hospitals/ICU beds and the workforce required to respond.
Facilitation & coordination with IGMH Laboratory participation in WHO External Quality Assessment Project for COVID-19.
Coordination with Global IHR network to assist in Maldives reporting obligations on COVID-19
Supported Maldives Blood Services to develop a plan for continuity of treatment of thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies patients.
Technical and financial support for building capacity of health workforce for COVID-19 response including critical care training for doctors & nurses and GO.Data Training for MOH team to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing & data collection, reporting & recording.
Support to NEOC in risk communications and community engagement and funding of photo and written documentation on in-country COVID-19 preparedness, readiness and response.
Technical assistance for developing the guideline on Routine Immunization amidst the COVID-19 pandemic including preparations for immunization week
Facilitation of virtual discussions with Ministry of Environment, UNDP, GCF and WHO SEARO with technical guidance on water quality assurance during the emergency and ensuring water supply during the dry period.
Supporting Lab Testing by providing Sample Carriers
Strengthened ongoing Infection Prevention & Control activities with locally procured items such as masks, sanitizers, rubber boots etc.
UNICEF:
UNICEF is assisting the government of Maldives through procuring PPEs, medical equipment, and supplies for 5 paediatric ICU beds UNICEF:
Providing financial support to the Ministry of Gender, Family & Social Services to provide cooked meals for the homeless and individuals stranded in Male', including those released from prison and quarantine.
Working with local NGO ARC on a feeding programme for vulnerable families with multiple national partners. UNICEF is also working with the Ministry of Gender, Family & Social Services on a second feeding programme.
Facilitating US$1million worth of funding (education under COVID-19) allocation from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for the Ministry of Education Social Protection & Education For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org<br>
The authorities have so far identified over 2300 contacts through contact tracing but have not yet identified initial source of contraction, with the patient having not travelled or interacted with a positive case. On 16 April the case was acknowledged as the first recorded case of community transmission.
Alert levels were raised to red (level IV) and a temporary lock down has been implemented effective 1530 on 15 April 2020 For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org<br>
slide2. Impact Economic Sector
The Maldives Trade Union Congress (MTUC) issued a statement that Government should “prioritize and protect worker rights and ensure decent work for all, with the inclusion of the migrant worker population”.
1,150 cases have been filed in the Job Portal at the Ministry for Economic Development. Health & Social Sector
The Greater Male’ area lockdown was extended for a period of 14 days to 1 May.
A total of 189 buildings, 26 shops, and 8 islands have been placed under monitoring status restricting exit and entry in greater Male’.
The rising number of cases reported have required tracing, testing and quarantining of many people. As at 23 April, over 2300 people have been identified through contact tracing.
A nationwide ban on congregational prayers is in place until further notice. Ramadan commences 24 April 2020.
Repatriation of 71 Maldivians from Nepal and Bangladesh was organized by the Bangladesh military.
An appeal by Government and man social media commentators is being made to avoid stigmatizing people coming from quarantine or otherwise affected by the virus.
There are increased concerns of COVID-19 transmission in prisons and other places of detention due to significant overcrowding. Political Sector
Senior members of the ruling coalition and Opposition parties appealed for “solidarity” in the face of “an unprecedented challenge “and urged political differences to be set aside
Islamic State (IS) reportedly claimed responsibility for an arson attack on 16 April in A.Dh. Mahibadhoo using incendiary bombs. A number of arrests have been made.
Corrections officers and an inmate were reportedly injured during an incident in Maafushi Correctional Facility Unit 9. For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org The lockdown has brought to light the issue of homelessness in Male’, on the first day 24 people were provided shelter by the Government.
Related to adequate housing, a number of tenants in Male’ have reported forced evictions due to inability to pay rent. The 2016 Household and Income Survey showed that more than 60% of people in Male’ are renting their homes.
Personal details including names and photos of ‘purported’ patients were circulating on social media, causing significant anxiety in the community.
Sentiments of hate speech and xenophobia have been observed and are slated to increase, with cases of verbal and/or physical attacks primarily against the migrant Bangladeshi community.<br>
slide3. Government Response Economic Sector Health & Social Sector Political Sector . OPEC Fund for International Development pledged an emergency loan of US$20 million for the Maldives
IMF has announced a US$29 million bailout under its Rapid Credit Facility for Maldives.
Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture announced that fishing could continue but boats would not be allowed to dock at other islands apart from their own.
Agricultural produce is also cleared for delivery between islands without disembarkation of passengers.
The Government of Bangladesh donated 100 tonnes of food & medicine to Maldives.
The Government has imported a stock of medicines and food from Dubai.
President Solih discussed the crisis with the UN Secretary General, appealing for debt and emergency relief support. The Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions requested the Speaker to fast track the special bill on Local Council Elections.
Of the 200 prisoners identified by Maldives Correctional Service as eligible for executive clemency, 105 were granted a special pardon by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on 18 April 2020. Government offices will remain closed until end of April.
Aasandha Company Ltd. established 9 online clinics in health centres in Male’ region and 1 in Addu City.
HPA suspended all non-essential travel between all islands while cargo shipments will be overseen by the island councils.
HPA circulated a policy on disclosing patients’ details, highlighting that only the HPA Director-General has the authority to disclose details under specific circumstances
Police & HPA advised people to desist spreading false information, and encouraged the public to respect to all in the community, such as migrant workers.
Police and Male’ City Council commenced are identifying overly congested migrant workers quarters, and are providing screening and tests by rapid response teams for people with respiratory symptoms.
Shelter and food was provided to over 60 people who were stranded in a joint effort by the Police, City Council, line Ministries, Maldives Red Crescent and CSOs.
An online system has been established by police to support people who need to go out for essential needs.
The Human Rights and Gender Committee of the Parliament discussed the issue of evictions and homelessness with the Auditor General on enacting a sunset law prohibiting eviction and increasing rents.
The Government has launched a household registration portal to update information on current addresses and the number of people living in each house/apartment. In addition, information on the number of elderly and individuals needing special care will be collected to tailor effective responses to special needs. For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org<br>
slide4. UN Actions Emergency Health Response & Procurement of Public Health Supplies
WHO:
Technical support to NEOC for forecasting and simulating the impact of a pandemic surge in the hospitals/ICU beds and the workforce required to respond.
Facilitation & coordination with IGMH Laboratory participation in WHO External Quality Assessment Project for COVID-19.
Coordination with Global IHR network to assist in Maldives reporting obligations on COVID-19
Supported Maldives Blood Services to develop a plan for continuity of treatment of thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies patients.
Technical and financial support for building capacity of health workforce for COVID-19 response including critical care training for doctors & nurses and GO.Data Training for MOH team to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing & data collection, reporting & recording.
Support to NEOC in risk communications and community engagement and funding of photo and written documentation on in-country COVID-19 preparedness, readiness and response.
Technical assistance for developing the guideline on Routine Immunization amidst the COVID-19 pandemic including preparations for immunization week
Facilitation of virtual discussions with Ministry of Environment, UNDP, GCF and WHO SEARO with technical guidance on water quality assurance during the emergency and ensuring water supply during the dry period.
Supporting Lab Testing by providing Sample Carriers
Strengthened ongoing Infection Prevention & Control activities with locally procured items such as masks, sanitizers, rubber boots etc.
UNICEF:
UNICEF is assisting the government of Maldives through procuring PPEs, medical equipment, and supplies for 5 paediatric ICU beds UNICEF:
Providing financial support to the Ministry of Gender, Family & Social Services to provide cooked meals for the homeless and individuals stranded in Male', including those released from prison and quarantine.
Working with local NGO ARC on a feeding programme for vulnerable families with multiple national partners. UNICEF is also working with the Ministry of Gender, Family & Social Services on a second feeding programme.
Facilitating US$1million worth of funding (education under COVID-19) allocation from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for the Ministry of Education Social Protection & Education For more info: aminath.zuhury@un.org or shaha.shakeeb@un.org<br>