Maldives Covid-19 recoveries surpass 80,000, daily cases drop

The total number of patients to have recovered from Covid-19 so far has surpassed 80,000, as the country reports the lowest daily rise in new infections in days.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), of the 100 new coronavirus cases confirmed over the past 24 hours, 50 were detected from residential islands out of the capital region, with 40 having been confirmed from the Greater Malé Region, nine from operational resorts and a single case was detected from a liveabaord vessel.

This is the 17th consecutive day 100 cases have been confirmed nationwide. The country's active Covid-19 case tally sits at 2,120 as of sundown on Wednesday, whereas 97 recoveries also reported during this period pushed the total number of recoveries to 80,004.

17 Covid-19 patients are currently hospitalized for treatment, with one more having been admitted since Tuesday.

These developments have pushed the country's total coronavirus case count to 82,364.

Maldives reported it's first Covid-19 fatality in April 2020. Since then, the death toll has been pushed to 227. The latest fatality was reported on Monday, when a 90-year-old Maldivian man succumbed to complications of the virus while being treated at the Hulhumalé Medical Facility (HMF).

Daily case numbers being reported nationwide have been rising over the past few days. Over 1,000 new cases were confirmed over the past week alone.

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 on a daily basis. 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.