Maldives confirms 134 new Covid-19 cases, 74 recoveries

134 new Covid-19 cases and 74 recoveries were confirmed across the Maldives on Thursday.

According to the latest figures published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the new cases were confirmed out of 6,750 samples tested for the infection between 6pm Wednesday and 6pm Thursday.

Thursday’s cases include 77 from outlying atolls, 48 from the Covid-19 epicenter Malé City and the remaining nine from operational resorts. This is the highest rise in cases reported across the Maldives populous capital city in recent weeks.

This update has pushed the country’s total coronavirus case tally to 79,659.

Further, HPA revealed that the country’s active coronavirus case count has risen to 1,712 from the previous day’s 1,652.

By sundown on Thursday, Maldives had observed a total of 77,713 recoveries from coronavirus.

With one more patient being hospitalized for treatment, hospital admissions currently sit at 16.

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.

While the recent eases have led to an increase in cases reported from islands, there are currently 15 residential islands under Covid-19 monitoring.

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.