Covid-19: Maldives reports 115 new cases, 160 recoveries

Maldives reported a total of 115 new cases, and 160 recoveries on Sunday.

According to the latest daily figures by Health Protection Agency (HPA), 115 new cases were confirmed from the 5,573 samples collected during the reporting period. 23 cases were from the Greater Male’ Area, 78 from outlying atolls, 12 from operational resorts and two from liveaboard vessels.

This new development pushes Maldives’ Covid-19 case tally to 77,547.

Further, with the 160 additional recoveries pushing total recoveries to 74,758, the country's active coronavirus cases has dropped to 2,556 from the previous day's 2,601.

While there have been 221 deaths from Covid-19, 20 patients are currently hospitalized and receiving treatment for the virus.

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.

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