28 of the 155 new Covid-19 cases confirmed nationwide by sundown on Monday were from the congested capital city of Maldives, Malé.

Latest statistics publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that the new cases reported between 6pm Sunday and 6pm Monday have pushed the country’s Covid-19 case tally to 73,482.

Of the remaining cases confirmed by sundown on Monday, 70 were from residential islands, 31 from operational resorts and 26 from an island under development.

4,972 samples tested were for coronavirus between 6pm Sunday and 6pm Monday.

Within 24 hours, Maldives active coronavirus cases dropped to 3,883.

The total number of recoveries observed in the Maldives has risen to 69,378 with the 347 new recoveries reported between over the past 24 hours.

Statistics go on to reveal that 27 patients are currently hospitalized for Covid-19 treatment. This is two less than the previous day.

Not long after Maldives was able to control a spike in cases into the beginning of the year, the Covid-19 caseload began spiking in the beginning of May once again. This came not long after authorities lifted the measures in place after it was confirmed as the fourth wave, 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. On 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, making it mandatory for residents to carry household permits to go out from 8am to 4pm.

Following a decline in cases, once again public health authorities on June 15 reduced curfew hours in the capital region from 4pm to 4am. A week later on June 22, authorities reduced the curfew hours from 6pm to 4am.

Authorities eased travel restrictions on June 22, allowing travel between the Covid-19 epicenter Malé City and residential islands.

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