The number of COVID-19 cases in Dhaalu Atoll Kudahuvadhoo has risen to 18.

The island was placed under monitoring on Wednesday after six employees working at the Kudahuvadhoo Airport tested positive.

The acting Head of the island's hospital, Aishath Muneer told One Online that 260 samples have been collected from the island so far and 18 people have tested positive. And while some samples are pending results, others are being collected and set to Male' City for testing.

President of the Kudahuvadhoo Island Council, Ahmed Shaam told One Online that a student at the island's school along with a younger child are among those who have tested positive.

While Kudahuvadhoo has a community spread, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has ordered that those who left the island after 26 February 2021 to notify themselves to the HPA. And those that have traveled out of the island in less than 14 days are to be tested and go into quarantine.

And those who have traveled to Male' City from Kudahuvadhoo are to get tested at a flu clinic and quarantine for 14 days.