Maldives confirms 306 new Covid-19 cases; 245 from atolls

Maldives has confirmed 306 new Covid-19 cases, of which 245 infections were confirmed from outlying atolls.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 408 additional recoveries were also confirmed between 6pm Saturday and 6pm Sunday.

1,853 samples were tested for the virus in the reporting period, of which 403 were collected across the capital.

The new cases confirmed by sundown on Sunday include 27 detected from the Greater Malé Region, 245 from residential islands outside of the capital region and 22 from operational resorts as well.

The location of 12 cases confirmed on Sunday is yet to be determined.

With this development active Covid-19 cases across Maldives have dropped to 14,469 from the previous day’s 14,571.

The public health authority went on to reveal that Maldives Covid-19 case tally has been pushed to 172,576.

Further, the total number of recoveries confirmed across the archipelago nation had been pushed to 157,797 by Sunday’s end.

Hospital admissions remain unchanged from the previous day, at eight.

Maldives reported its first Covid-19 fatality in April 2020. The total number of deaths confirmed across the island nation sits at 297.

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 March 30.

Although Maldives had maintained the Covid-19 caseload at low daily figures across the capital region nearing the end of 2021, cases across the capital had spiked in the beginning of the year. Due to this, HPA tightened safety measures across the Greater Malé Region. However, the caseload has been decreasing in recent days.

On February 22, HPA dissolved the regulation mandating PCR testing for those travelling to islands from the capital, amending the guidelines publicized on January 9.

As such, HPA revealed that the changes include dissolving the regulation that mandated PCR test results valid 72 hours prior, when traveling to residential islands from the capital Malé City.

Further, HPA revealed that the limit for the number of people allowed to take part in gatherings and attend events as well as ceremonies in the capital, has been revoked.

While HPA also banned spectators from being present at sports events in the capital due to an alarming spike in Covid-19 infections, it has since been revoked

However, the public has been urged to continue holding events and other such activities in adherence to the recommendations and instructions in place for the safety of the people.

PCR testing was made mandatory for travelers from the capital to atolls in January, when Maldives was immersed in an escalating outbreak of the virus.

On March 7, the public health authority revealed that PCR testing for tourists staying at guesthouses will not be required prior to departure and that pre-arrival PCR testing is also not required for passengers who have completed both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine approved by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority, at least 14 days prior to arrival.

This saw queues at PCR testing centers overcrowded and congested with several people remaining in the queue for hours on end to get their tests done.