K. Male'
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15 Aug 2021 | Sun 11:15
Samples being collected for Covid-19 testing
Samples being collected for Covid-19 testing
Health Protection Agency
Covid-19 community transmission
Maldives Covid-19 total rises to 79,000 with 74 new cases
77,031 recoveries have been observed so far
Maldives active case tally is at 1,735
74 new cases and 299 recoveries were reported on Saturday

Maldives Covid-19 total case count has risen to 79,000.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 74 new coronavirus infections as well as 299 recoveries were confirmed between 6pm Friday and 6pm Saturday.

The new infections were confirmed of the 4,813 samples tested over the reporting period.

Of the new cases, 51 were detected from outlying atolls, 13 from the populous capital Malé City, also deemed the coronavirus epicenter of the country while the remaining 10 were from operational resorts.

By sundown on Saturday active Covid-19 cases had dropped to 1,735 from the previous day’s 1,960.

With the recent developments, the total number of recoveries observed so far has also exceeded 77,000, currently sitting at 77,031.

With one more Covid-19 patients released from hospitals, the number of hospital admissions has dropped to 18.

The country's death toll from Covid-19 stands at 222.

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) has since 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 have also resumed 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. 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.

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