Maldives Covid-19 tally exceeds 55,000-mark with 1,559 new infections

Maldives Covid-19 tally has reached 55,924, with a record 1,559 cases reported by sundown on Sunday.

According to the latest statistics publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) late Tuesday, a total of 5,834 samples were tested for Covid-19 over the past 24 hours and the new infections detected include 1,135 reported in the Greater Malé Region, 401 from residential islands and 20 from operational resorts. Further, Sunday’s new Covid-19 infections include three from liveaboard vessels.

With the new developments, Maldives Covid-19 active virus tally has risen to 23,464 from 22,421 within 24 hours.

Over the past 24 hours, the number of recoveries observed nationwide were pushed to 32,322, with 510 recoveries reported between 6pm Saturday and 6pm Sunday.

With a recent spike in daily infections, hospital admissions have also doubled. Statistics reveal that the number of hospital admissions is currently at 290, this means that four Covid-19 patients were moved from hospitals over the past 24 hours.

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.