Maldives reports 1,603 new Covid-19 cases, 615 recoveries

Maldives continues to report record numbers of daily Covid-19 infections, latest statistics confirming 1,603 new infections nationwide by sundown on Saturday.

Maldives Covid-19 tally has surpassed the 54,000-mark with this development.

According to the latest statistics publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) late Tuesday, a total of 6,333 samples were tested for Covid-19 over the past 24 hours and the new infections detected include 1,518 reported in the Greater Malé Region, 431 from residential islands and 11 from operational resorts.

With the new developments, Maldives Covid-19 total case count has been pushed to 54,365 with the country’s active tally currently sitting at 22,421.

Over the past 24 hours, the number of recoveries observed nationwide were pushed to 31,812, with 615 recoveries reported between 6pm Friday and 6pm Saturday.

With a recent spike in daily infections, hospital admissions have also doubled. Statistics reveal that the number of hospital admissions is currently at 294.

The Covid-19 caseload has begun spiking in recent weeks at a time Maldives was able to control a spike in cases into the beginning of the new year, with strengthened measures such as a curfew period and travel restrictions. However, authorities lifted the measures in place in time for the fasting month of Ramadan 1442 as well as the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections held in mid-April.

Measures were strengthened across the Maldives earlier in May with authorities having imposed a curfew in the capital region from 4pm to 4am. HPA has also urged civil servants as well as those employed in private companies to work from home in order to slow the spread. Recently HPA also increased the quarantine period for travel within islands to 14 days. Other measures include closing down daycare centers, halting tuition and Quran classes as well as halting physical classes at schools. These measures have since been extended for another fortnight.

Although authorities earlier revealed that discussions were underway on the possibilities of imposing a second lockdown across the Covid-19 epicenter, Spokesperson for the President’s Office, Mabrook Azeez has revealed that no such plans have been confirmed yet.

Public health authorities continue to stress the importance of following Covid-19 health and safety measures set to control transmission of the virus, including social distancing, avoiding public gatherings, maintaining hand hygiene and effective masking while outdoors.

Maldives has been in a state of public health emergency for over a year and the last extension is set to expire on June 3.