Maldives reports 72 of 110 new coronavirus cases, from atolls
The 110 cases were confirmed from 5,301 samples tested in 24 hours
Samples being collected for Covid-19 testing
Maldives reported 110 new Covid-19 infections on Tuesday, of which 72 were detected from outlying atolls.
According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the over 100 daily cases were from 5,301 samples tested for the virus between 6pm Monday and 6pm Tuesday.
25 new infections were reported from the Greater Malé Region and the remaining 13 were from operational resorts.
With this development, the country’s total case count has been pushed to 78,578.
The number of active Covid-19 cases dropped to 2,562 from 2,570.
The public health authority also reported 118 additional recoveries on Tuesday; this means that Maldives has observed 75,778 recoveries from the virus.
Hospital admissions remain unchanged from the previous day, at 19.
The country's death toll from Covid-19 stands at 222 with one fatality reported last week.
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.
Further, monitoring measures have been lifted from Dhidhdhoo island in Haa Alif atoll, with specific conditions.
HPA revealed that the conditions to be met are; five percent of the island's community providing samples for Covid-19 testing within the next seven days as well as those departing from the island providing samples for testing until 60 percent of the population in the island is vaccinated.
Dhidhdhoo was brought under monitoring for the fourth time on July 26. The monitoring status was revoked on August 10, at 6:37pm.
So far, 26 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed from the island, with five patients having recovered. Active cases are at 21, with four fatalities having been reported as well. So far, 978 samples have been collected with 219 of them, pending.
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. Travel without quarantine is only for islands that have no Covid-19 monitoring measures in place.
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 has been extended a 17th time, to expire on September 1.
