Maldives reports 224 new cases, 772 recoveries

With 224 new Covid-19 infections reported nationwide by sundown on Tuesday, Maldives Covid-19 case tally has been pushed to 70,897.

Latest statistics publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that of the 224 new cases, 111 were detected in the Greater Malé Region, with 105 new infections being confirmed across outlying atolls and eight from operational resorts.

The new cases were confirmed from 4,644 samples tested between 6pm Monday and 6pm Tuesday.

Further, the public health authority also confirmed 772 recoveries from Covid-19 over the past 24 hours, meaning that a total of 62,533 recoveries have been confirmed nationwide thus far.

Maldives active Covid-19 cases have dropped to 8,155 from 8,703 within 24 hours.

Between 6pm Monday and 6pm Tuesday the number of hospital admissions dropped to 79, which is three less than the previous day.

The Covid-19 caseload began spiking into the beginning of May, 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, which led to the caseload increasing like never observed before.

Measures were strengthened across the Maldives earlier in May with authorities having imposed a curfew in the capital region from 4pm to 4am. Effective May 26, the curfew hours were extended from 4pm to 8am and authorities also imposed movement restrictions for capital region residents outside the curfew hours. The Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) revealed that special permits are required to go out from 8am to 4pm. Since then, the measures have been extended two times round and was last extended on Tuesday for another fortnight.

However, the public health authority on Tuesday reduced curfew hours in the capital region from 4pm to 4am.

Some of the other restrictions that will be eased started Wednesday include, allowing individual exercises in public between 4am to 8am without the need for a permit.

Mosques across the capital region will be opened for individual prayers. Schools as well as offices and state institutions are to remain closed for another fortnight, as well as the halt on sports activities.

Dr. Nazla added that the public health authorities are working to publicize special guidelines under which salons and barber shops may resume services. Further, construction work will also be allowed to resume under the set guidelines and a special permit issued by the city council.

While some eases were announced on Tuesday, no changes have been made to domestic travel, between Malé City and residential islands. The travel restrictions will remain effective including the restrictions on travelers from South Asian countries.

Maldives remains in a state of public health emergency since 12 March 2020 whichwas last extended to expire on 3 July.