157 new Covid-19 cases detected nationwide push Maldives tally to 81,810

With 157 new Covid-19 cases detected by sundown on Saturday, the country’s total coronavirus case tally has been pushed to 81,810.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the new cases were confirmed through 4,544 samples collected between 6pm Friday and 6pm Saturday.

Of these, a total of 106 new coronavirus infections were detected from residential islands, 45 from the Greater Malé Region and six from operational resorts.

Maldives currently has a total of 2,002 active coronavirus cases, which is a significant increase compared to the previous day’s 1,966.

An additional 121 recoveries confirmed over the past 24 hours have pushed the total number of Covid-19 patients to have observed full recoveries so far, to 79,569.

With two more Covid-19 patients hospitalized for treatment, hospital admissions have been pushed to 27.

Four Covid-19 fatalities were reported nearing the end of August, pushing the country’s death toll from coronavirus to 226. Maldives confirmed its first Covid-19 fatality in April 2020.

Daily case numbers being reported nationwide have been rising over the past few days, with 1,132 new cases having been confirmed over the past week alone.

The highest daily increase in coronavirus infections was on Wednesday, when 189 cases were confirmed. The lowest was recorded on Sunday, at 113.

The geographical advantage of being comprised of a scatter of islands initially enabled Maldives to keep tabs on the spread of coronavirus when the first few cases surfaced. Things spiraled out of control after a community transmission was detected in the congested capital on 15 April 2020 to which authorities responded by imposing an immediate lockdown.

Months later, authorities began easing the lockdown in phases, with cases going on a downward spiral. Things seemed to be in control until the new year rolled around and cases began spiraling once more. Since April 2020, authorities have been repeating a cycle of curfews, lockdowns, partial lockdowns and other restrictive measures in their successful efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

Maldives was faced by a fourth and more infectious coronavirus wave in early May, with cases rising to alarming levels at 1,000. With the implementation of stricter measures, cases began declining once again, and authorities introduced further eases to restrictions in early July for the extensive government holidays.

Eases have been doubling with those that have completed both doses of Covid-19 vaccine allowed to travel domestically without the need to quarantine, with a negative PCR test result. HPA on Wednesday publicized a list of islands where the criteria for Covid-19 vaccination coverage conditions have been met.

The country has been in a state of public health emergency for over a year, since 12 March 2020. It was extended an 18th time on Wednesday, to expire on October 1.