Covid-19: Maldives reports 123 new cases, 117 recoveries
A majority of cases are being reported from outlying atolls over the recent weeks
(File photo) Healthcare workers active in collecting samples for testing
Maldives reported 123 new coronavirus cases, and 117 recoveries on Saturday.
According to the latest daily figures by Health Protection Agency (HPA), the cases were confirmed from the 5,024 samples tested within 24 hours; 82 of the reported cases are from outlying atolls, 21 from the Greater Male' Area, and 20 from operational resorts
This pushes Maldives’ total Covid-19 case tally to 77,432, and active cases to 2,601 with 16 individuals hospitalized for treatment.
Considering the 117 recoveries reported on Saturday, Maldives’ total recovery number now sits at 74,598.
So far, there have been 221 Covid-19 fatalities, with the last one reported on Thursday. The deceased was identified to be a 52-year-old Maldivian female admitted at R. Dhuvaafaru Health Centre. The 220th fatality was reported from the same health centre.
Of the total number of deaths to Covid-19, 171 have been reported thus far in 2021.
While cases reported from the Greater Male' Region has reduced significantly since the fourth coronavirus wave was confirmed in May, there has been an increase in numbers reported from outlying atolls. This has led to a subsequent increase in deaths reported from regional Covid-19 management facilities; five of the ten deaths reported in July are from atolls.
The fourth wave confirmed in May led to additional Covid-19 restrictions including continued travel restrictions between islands for all residents. However, with the decrease in daily cases seen last month, authorities eased these measures in mid-July including allowing travel with no quarantine for fully vaccinated individuals. Negative PCR test results are required for travel to be approved.
Further, a travel ban imposed on travelers from South Asia due to the worsening coronavirus situation in the region was lifted on July 15. While these tourists were only allowed to stay in resorts with transit facilities designated by the tourism ministry for the first 15 days, they can travel to guesthouses from July 30.
