Maldives reports 113 new Covid-19 cases, 97 recoveries

Maldives reported 113 new Covid-19 cases and 97 recoveries by sundown on Saturday.

The over 100 new infections were confirmed through 5,992 samples tested between 6pm Friday and 6pm Saturday.

A majority of the new cases were detected from outlying atolls during the reporting period. As such, 73 cases were confirmed from atolls, 25 from the Greater Malé Region, 13 from operational resorts and two from liveaboard vessels.

With this, the total number of active cases nationwide has risen to 2,559 from the previous day’s 2,543 and the country’s total case count has been pushed to 78,243.

As of 6pm on Saturday, Maldives has observed 75,450 recoveries from the virus.

Hospital admissions remain unchanged from the previous day, at 24.

Over the past week, Maldives confirmed 811 new cases, which is a drop in comparison to the case numbers reported when measures were strengthened due to a fourth Covid-19 wave confirmed in mid-May.

The lowest daily numbers in the past week was reported on Monday, 86. The highest number was reported on Wednesday, when 137 persons tested positive.

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

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 last week, to expire on September 1.