2,142 out of 5,985 samples returned positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday

2,142 out of 5,985 samples returned positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), a total of 2,142 new coronavirus cases and 2,163 additional recoveries were confirmed nationwide between 6pm Tuesday and 6pm Wednesday.

A total of 5,985 samples were tested for the infection in the reporting period, of which 771 returned positive from the congested capital, 1,053 across residential islands outside of the capital and 48 from operational resorts. 2,640 samples were collected across the capital in the reporting period, where the Covid-19 positivity rate currently sits at 29 percent.

The location of 270 cases confirmed on Wednesday, is yet to be determined.

Maldives Covid-19 case tally has risen to 143,202 with this development.

By sundown on Wednesday the total number of patients who have recovered from the virus across the country was pushed to 125,190.

Further, active Covid-19 cases across Maldives also dropped to 17,721 from 17,743.

Hospital admissions dropped to 62 in the reporting period.

This is the 12th consecutive day Maldives has been confirming more than 2,000 daily coronavirus cases.

Maldives reported its first Covid-19 fatality in April 2020 and since then, the death toll has risen to 278. 16 Covid-19 fatalities have been confirmed so far this year.

Sample collection centers in the Greater Malé Region will be opened in the parking zone near the Sinamalé Bridge from 3pm to 6pm, near Hulhumalé Phase II H8 from 03:45pm to 06:45pm, Henveiru Football Ground from 03:30pm to 06:30pm, Villimalé Flu Clinic from 4pm to 06:30pm and Hulhumalé Ruhgandu 1 from 03:30pm to 06:30pm on Thursday.

Although Maldives had maintained the Covid-19 caseload at low daily figures across the capital region in recent months, cases across the capital have been spiking recently. The caseload across the capital has been spiking since New Year’s. Due to this, HPA recently tightened safety measures across the Greater Malé Region.

However, on Tuesday the public health authority eased measures for direct contacts of positive cases across the capital. As such, fully vaccinated direct contacts of Covid-19 positive cases will no longer be required to undergo a quarantine period, if they do not exhibit symptoms.

As such, those who have been fully vaccinated among those identified as direct contacts of positive cases, will not be required to undergo a quarantine period if they do not show symptoms, from Wednesday onwards.

Further, those who have been fully vaccinated among those identified as direct contacts of positive cases and do exhibit symptoms, will be required to undergo Antigen or PCR testing and will not be required to quarantine if their test results return negative for the novel coronavirus. However, they will be required to quarantine until their test results are obtained. These individuals will be required to undergo PCR testing after five days of coming into contact with a covid-stricken individual.

The public health authority went on to reveal that individuals may only use the Covid-19 rapid antigen self-test kits if they have symptoms and should they test positive, they will be required to follow the steps mentioned in the publication.

The isolation period or quarantine period of these individuals will only be documented by the authority if they undergo Covid-19 testing at a registered laboratory or healthcare facility.

The public has been urged to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines in place, in order to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The country has been in a state of public health emergency for nearly two years now, since 12 March 2020. The last extension is set to expire on February 28.