Covid-19: Maldives reports 137 new cases, majority from atolls

By sundown on Wednesday, public health authorities confirmed 100 out of 137 new Covid-19 infections, from outlying atolls.

Daily figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reveal that the country’s active cases have risen to 2,566 from the previous day’s 2,459.

23 new cases were confirmed from the Greater Malé Region and 14 from operational resorts. The over 130 new infections were confirmed through 4,996 samples tested between 6pm Tuesday and 6pm Wednesday, and has pushed the country’s total case count to 77,895.

The number of recoveries reported within this period was significantly low, at 30. This means that the country has observed 75,095 recoveries so far.

Over the past 24 hours, one more Covid-19 patient was hospitalized for treatment, with which hospital admissions have risen to 17.

The country's death toll from Covid-19 stands at 222 with the last one reported on Tuesday evening; a 94-year-old Maldivian man who passed away while receiving treatment at Fuvahmulah Atoll Hospital.

The Covid-19 caseload began spiking in the beginning of May once again, not long after Maldives was able to control a spike in cases into the beginning of the year. The fourth wave was confirmed after 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.

This prompted authorities to strengthen safety measures and restrictions across the nation. However in early July a number of these measures were eased in time for Eid-Al-Adha and Independence Day holidays.

Daily numbers in the capital region have been significantly declining since then. In July authorities allowed individuals who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus to travel domestically without the need to quarantine, with a negative PCR test result. On July 15, Maldives lifted a ban on travelers from South Asia due to the worsening coronavirus situation in the region, however, they were only allowed to stay in resorts with transit facilities designated by the Ministry of Tourism for the first 15 days. They were allowed to travel to islands with guesthouses from July 30.

The state of public health emergency announced on 12 March 2020 was extended for a 17th time on Monday, to expire on September 1.