Covid-19: Maldives reports less than 200 new cases, additional death

Maldives reported less than 200 new Covid-19 cases on Friday.

These were from the 3,520 samples tested within 24 hours.

51 of the cases were detected from the greater Male’ region, the lowest single-day count from the country’s Covid-19 epicenter in weeks. 88 are from residential islands, two from resorts and one from a liveaboard vessel.

This pushes the country’s Covid-19 total to 71,498 and with the 964 recoveries recorded on Friday, 65,178 patients have recovered.

Also, an additional coronavirus-related death was reported on Friday night, bringing the death toll to 203; an 82-year-old local man passed away while receiving treatment at the Laamu Covid Management Facility.

53 patients are receiving treatment at hospitals, 14 less than the previous day.

While the government began easing Covid-19 restrictions last year following a decline in cases, a recent spike confirmed as the "fourth wave" forced authorities to strengthen Covid-19 restrictions last month especially in the capital.

With the decrease in numbers seen since, authorities this Wednesday eased some safety restrictions including reducing curfew hours. However, individuals are still required to have permits to be out even during non-curfew hours.

Individual exercises are allowed from 4am to 8am with no permits required.