417 new Covid-19 cases reported in Maldives

Maldives has reported 417 new Covid-19 cases.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed this in their latest figures publicized on Monday.

According to the figures publicized by HPA, between July 10 to July 16, 109 cases were reported from the Greater Male' Area. An additional 210 cases were reported from residential islands outside of the capital and 98 Covid-19 cases were reported from others including industrial islands, liveaboard vessels and resorts.

HPA revealed that the recorded hospital admissions increased to 35 within the past week.

While the country's Covid-19 case tally has risen to 183,908, the death toll remains at 307. No new Covid-19 related deaths were recorded in the past week.

Maldives reported its first Covid-19 fatality in April 2020.

End of June 2022 saw an alarming increase in the number of Covid-19 cases reported. As such, the weekly number of cases reported between 19 June to 25 June, rose to 1,202, compared to 405 cases reported the previous week. The cases decreased to 1,134 between June 26 to July 02.

Between July 03 and July 09, the cases dropped to 771 and it further decreased to 417 within the past week.

HPA went on to reveal that the number of hospital admissions increased to 51 between June 19 to 25, and rose to 54, between June 26 and July 02. The number of hospital admissions fell to 31, the next week and has risen to 35 within the last week.

HPA announced a number of measures to tighten health and safety restrictions in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 across the island nation. However, following the decrease in cases reported, the state of public health emergency declared nationwide on 12 March 2020, was dissolved starting 13 March 2022.

As such, the face mask mandate that came into effect across the Maldives in February 2021, was also dissolved. However, the authority has been urging caution from the public, against Covid-19 cases.

HPA has urged the public to be more vigilant in observing safety precautions, isolate themselves and undergo Covid-19 testing if they exhibit symptoms.

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.

As places that provide healthcare services are usually filled with high-risk individuals, HPA has urged the people to wear face masks when visiting hospitals health centers and clinics for the safety of everyone. The public health authority has also urged the people to limit hospital visitations and not visit hospitals unless necessary.

HPA has also urged those who exhibit Covid-19 symptoms, to use face masks, isolate themselves as soon as they detect the symptoms and get tested.

The public has also been urged to keep public and open spaces clean and disinfected at all times, on a regular basis.

Stressing on the importance of regular sanitization and hand-washing, HPA also urged the public to get their vaccine doses against Covid-19 as well as influenza.

Urging travelers to ensure the Covid-19 situation in their travel destinations is controlled, HPA revealed that travelers must take the necessary precautions before making their bookings and ensure they are fully vaccinated before travelling.

The public health authority also urged the public to refrain from hosting and attending large gatherings, unless completely necessary. Organizers have been urged to stick to the guidelines and safety precautions in place when planning events.

Authorities have not yet revealed any plans to officially implement stricter measures against the recent rise in Covid-19 cases.