Maldives Covid-19 case tally has been pushed to 176,993 with over 2,000 new cases confirmed over the past 13 days.

The Health Protection Agency ((HPA) publicized its latest figures on Monday afternoon, highlighting that 2,342 new Covid-19 infections were detected between March 14 – 26.

The over 2,000 cases included 1,938 detected from residential islands outside of the Maldives congested capital, Greater Malé Region where 184 new cases were confirmed.

The public health authority also revealed that one new death was reported in the period, with which the total number of Covid-19 fatalities confirmed nationwide so far, has risen to 298. Maldives reported its first Covid-19 fatality in April 2020.

Looking at the daily case:

196 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 14; 24 from the capital and 153 from atolls

265 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 15; 22 from the capital and 230 from atolls

234 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 16; 26 from the capital and 194 from atolls

175 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 17; 13 from the capital and 146 from atolls

107 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 18; nine from the capital and 80 from atolls

203 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 19; six from the capital and 178 from atolls

161 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 20; 11 from the capital and 130 from atolls

199 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 21; 22 from the capital and 162 from atolls

215 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 22; 11 from the capital and 195 from atolls

171 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 23; nine from the capital and 137 from atolls

160 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 24; 14 from the capital and 132 from atolls

78 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 25; eight from the capital and 42 from atolls

178 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed on March 26; nine from the capital and 159 from atolls.

While the sample positivity rate across the nation rose up to 36 percent in the beginning of February after being maintained at four percent in December 2021, it has since been declining and sat at 11 percent between March 16 – 22.

Sample positivity in the capital region hiked to 45 percent between January 26 – February 1, when Maldives was immersed in an overwhelming outbreak of the Omicron variant. However, it has since dropped below five percent and sat at four percent by March 22.

In inhabited islands, the sample positivity rate remains well above average at 38 percent by March 22, after having risen to 50 percent all through February.

The state of public health emergency declared nationwide on 12 March 2020, was dissolved starting 13 March 2022.

HPA announced a number of eases to tightened health and safety restrictions in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 across the island nation earlier in March.

As such, the face mask mandate that came into effect across the Maldives in February 2021, has also been dissolved. This comes as Maldives is preparing to welcome the fasting month of Ramadan in less than a week.

Although face masks are no longer mandatory, the public will be required to continue the use of face masks where healthcare services are being provided, including staff, patients and visitors.

Further, the residents of islands or regions where the Covid-19 positivity rate is higher than 20 percent, are still required to use face masks.

The public health authority went on to encourage the public to continue the use of face masks if they are considered high risk or have high risk individuals in their circle, when out in public, if they exhibit symptoms, if they attend gatherings or events with large crowds of people, while using public transport vehicles like taxis, busses and ferries as well as while attending indoor activities and other places where public services are provided.

The changes were brought following thorough analysis and monitoring the situation revolving around the pandemic, currently.

As such, some of the key points taken into consideration when revoking the state of public health emergency, a little over two years since it was imposed, include the fact that the Covid-19 situation in most islands and regions is improving as well as the authorities’ success in maintaining hospitalization and death rates at a lower rate.

Further, HPA revealed that a majority of the population has complete a primary series vaccination, as booster dose administration continues to increase.

It was also revealed that Covid-19 response will continue according to the ‘Covid-19 Strategy’ and measures will be taken according to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, even though the public health emergency has been revoked.

Further, inbound travelers can now enter Maldives without presenting negative PCR certification and travelers are no longer required to present PCR test results, even if they haven’t completed the Covid-19 vaccination.

Another restriction that was eased starting 13 March 2022, is revoking the mandatory quarantine period for inbound travelers, even if they can have not been fully vaccinated.

Despite these eases, testing for symptomatic persons, isolation for positive persons and quarantine for contacts of positive cases will continue.

This comes at a time Maldives recently went through an overwhelming peak of Covid-19, following the celebrations to ring in the new year.