Maldives confirms 15 more Covid-19 cases

Maldives has confirmed 15 new Covid-19 cases.

This was revealed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in its latest figures publicized on Monday.

As such, over the past week, Maldives confirmed four new cases from the Greater Malé Region, one case from residential islands outside the capital region and 10 new cases from others including industrial islands, liveaboard vessels and resorts.

HPA also reveled that two new hospital admissions were reported in the previous week.

Statistics shows that Maldives Covid-19 case tally currently sits at 185,693.

No new fatalities were reported from Covid-19 this past week, hence corona virus death toll remains at 311.

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

Although there was a rise in the Covid-19 caseload during the last quarter of 2022, cases began dropping mid November 2022. A significant rise was observed especially in the capital region, at that time.

Looking at HPA's statistics, 95 new Covid-19 cases were reported between November 06 to November 12. The cases decreased to 35 the following week, and to 34 new cases the week after.

While the cases decreased as low as 14 between November 27 to December 03, the cases saw an increase to 19, between December 04 to December 10, before decreasing to 15 between December 11 to December 17.

Between 18 December and 24 December, 12 new Covid-19 cases were reported. The last week of 2022, saw 15 new Covid-19 cases.

HPA advises the public to keep public and open spaces clean and disinfected at all times, on a regular basis, even if the caseload has been decreasing. The authority notes the importance of regular sanitization and hand-washing.

HPA also urges the public to get their vaccine doses against Covid-19.

The public health authority encourages 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. This comes at a time the authority has also urged caution against the increasing air pollution across several regions in the country.

Due to the adverse effects of the monsoon season, Maldives has been experiencing a surge in common cold cases as well in the past few weeks.

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 also urges the people to limit hospital visitations and not visit hospitals unless necessary.