Maldives has confirmed over 100 new Covid-19 infections for a 19th consecutive day.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), the 103 new cases included 56 detected from residential islands, 35 from the populous Greater Malé Region, nine from operational resorts and the remaining three from liveaboard vessels.

Friday’s coronavirus infections were confirmed through the 3,815 samples tested between 6pm Thursday and 6pm Friday.

HPA also reported an additional 82 recoveries from the infection over the past 24 hours, which is the lowest figure to have been reported in days. This has pushed the total number of recoveries observed so far, to 80,236.

The country's total coronavirus case count sits at 82,578 currently.

By sundown on Friday the country's active Covid-19 case tally rose to 2,102 from 2,081.

One more patient was released from hospitals over the past 24 hours, with which the number of hospital admissions has dropped to 12.

Maldives reported its first Covid-19 fatality in April 2020. Since then, the death toll has been pushed to 227.

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.