Renowned local businessman ‘Sentu’ Adam Manik has succumbed to complications of Covid-19.

Adam Manik passed away early Thursday while receiving treatment for Covid-19 on ventilator support, at the Hulhumalé Medical Facility (HMF).

Doctors at the facility pronounced him dead at around 1:54am on Thursday.

Adam Manik, aged 73 at the time of his passing, is survived by his spouse and 11 children. He was laid to rest on Thursday morning.

Adam Manik was renowned for his extensive business as a water supplier and also operated a guesthouse in Thulusdhoo island of Kaafu atoll. The public perceived him as a charitable, humble businessman who was also on the receiving end of public praise for his patriotic efforts to supply free water to the citizens during the 2014 water crisis of the capital Malé City.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that the country’s coronavirus death toll has been pushed to 273 with the passing of the business tycoon.

11 Covid-19 fatalities have been reported so far this year.

This comes a day after the latest fatality was confirmed, with the death of a 50-year-old woman who was pronounced dead by doctors at the health center of Dhangethi island in Alif Dhaal atoll at 12:24am on Wednesday.

The island nation reported the highest number of deaths in a single month since the pandemic began, during May 2021, when a total of 88 deaths were confirmed. June saw 50 Covid-19 fatalities, followed by 10 in July. Five Covid-19 fatalities were confirmed in August and in September. 12 Covid-19 fatalities were reported in October followed by seven in November. December also saw 12 Covid-19 fatalities.

212 Covid-19 victims were reported last year.