Maldives Covid-19 case tally has risen to 57,341 with a total of 1,417 new cases reported by sundown on Monday.

According to the latest statistics publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), a total of 5,581 samples were tested for Covid-19 over the past 24 hours and the new infections detected include 1,097 reported in the Greater Malé Region, 303 from residential islands and 17 from operational resorts.

With the new developments, Maldives Covid-19 active virus tally has been pushed to 24,057 from 23,464 within 24 hours.

Over the past 24 hours, the number of recoveries observed nationwide were pushed to 33,136, with 814 recoveries reported between 6pm Sunday and 6pm Monday.

With a recent spike in daily infections, hospital admissions have also doubled. Statistics reveal that the number of hospital admissions is currently at 282, eight less than the previous day.

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.

Latest statistics by HPA reveal that a total of 74 islands are currently under monitoring.

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.

At a time authorities had revealed that discussions were underway on the possibilities of imposing a second lockdown across the Covid-19 epicenter, the government declared an extension of curfew hours in the capital region from 4pm to 8am and a restriction on movement on the street outside of the curfew hours as well. This will come into effect on Wednesday, other measures including disallowing dine-in and takeaway services, allowing delivery services for shops, restaurants and cafés with permits from 6am to 12am. Making the announcement during a press briefing on Monday, the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) revealed that special permits are required to go out, outside of curfew hours.

Establishments that breach the guidelines and provide services other than delivery will be fined up to MVR 5,000.

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.