Covid-19: Maldives reports 104 new cases, 158 recoveries

Maldives has confirmed 104 new Covid-19 infections as well as 158 recoveries from the virus, on Thursday.

The 104 samples returned positive from 6,237 samples collected between 6pm Wednesday and 6pm Thursday.

Daily figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reveal that a majority was detected from outlying atolls; 56. Of the remaining infections, 35 were from the Greater Malé Region and 13 from operational resorts.

This development has pushed the country's Covid-19 case tally to 77,999.

With recoveries outnumbering new cases reported over the past 24 hours, at 158, active cases have dropped to 2,512 from the previous day’s 2,566.

Maldives has observed a total of 75,253 recoveries from coronavirus so far.

Further, HPA reported that three more Covid-19 patients were hospitalized for treatment by sundown on Thursday, with which hospital admissions have risen to 20 once more.

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. The Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) on Thursday announced a number of additional eases including allowing parties, gatherings and event with no restrictions on participants, so long as safety measures are adhered to. Further, offices are also to resume normal operations, with employees allowed to return to the workplace for their duties. Other eases include allowing restaurants and other food outlets to resume normal services.

Daily numbers in the capital region have been significantly declining since June. 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.