Maldives confirms 329 new Covid-19 cases, 436 recoveries in 24 hours

Maldives confirmed 329 new Covid-19 cases and 436 additional recoveries from the infection by sundown on Wednesday.

According to the latest figures publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 1,743 samples were tested for the virus between 6pm Tuesday and 6pm Wednesday. Of these, 350 were collected across the country’s congested capital.

The new cases confirmed by sundown on Wednesday include 26 detected from the Greater Malé Region, 281 from residential islands outside of the capital region and 14 from operational resorts as well.

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

With this development active Covid-19 cases across Maldives have dropped to 14,276 from the previous day’s 14,383.

Maldives Covid-19 case tally had risen to 173,666 by sundown on Wednesday.

Further, the public health authority revealed that the total number of recoveries confirmed across the archipelago nation has been pushed to 159,080.

Three patients were released from the hospital in the reporting period, with which hospital admissions currently sit at six.

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for the number of people allowed to take part in gatherings and attend events as well as ceremonies in the capital, has been revoked.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from being present at sports events in the capital due to an alarming spike in Covid-19 infections, it has since been revoked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.