26 new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed across the Maldives.

In its latest figures publicized on Monday, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) confirmed that 26 new Covid-19 infections were reported between May 21 – 27.

Most of the new cases were confirmed from the congested capital of Maldives, Malé City; 16.

Out of the remaining cases, eight were detected from residential islands outside of the capital and two from others including industrial islands, liveaboard vessels and resorts.

Between May 21 – 27, the public health authority also recorded seven new hospital admissions.

This is the fourth week the public health authority has been reporting less than 100 weekly cases.

Maldives Covid-19 case tally currently sits at 186,651 with this development.

Maldives reported its first Covid-19 fatality in April 2020. Since then, 315 deaths from Covid-19 have been reported.

Maldives began observing a surge in the weekly Covid-19 numbers reported across the country over the past month. However, cases have been declining once again.

HPA recently urged caution from the public over the alarming increase in the wide-spreading common cold infections amid the worsening weather conditions.

The public health authority urged the public to be cautious, issuing some important precautionary measures the public may take to avoid complications from the wide-spreading common cold.

As such, the public has been urged to seek immediate medical assistance and consult a doctor if they are having common cold symptoms such as persistent cough, fever and sneezing for an extensive period or if they are considered high-risk individuals.

The public has also been urged to wear face masks properly if they have symptoms of the common cold, to practice social distancing in public places and to refrain from going to public and crowded locations overall, when exhibiting symptoms.

Further, the public has been urged to frequently wash their hands with soap and water or use disinfectants to avoid spreading germs from one person to the other. Individuals who are considered high-risk have been urged to wear face masks when visiting crowded public places.

At a time the authority has rolled out Covid-19 vaccination for children as well, the public has been urged to complete their vaccine doses as soon as possible to prevent complications from the virus. As such, those who are eligible to receive booster doses have been instructed to do so without delay.

HPA has urged caution as common cold is also a respiratory disease that can quickly spread within close proximity.

The public health authority has also urged the public to get their vaccine doses against Covid-19, stressing on the importance of regular sanitization and handwashing.

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

Currently, the public health authority is administering Pfizer vaccine doses to children between the ages of 5 and 11 in the Maldives, with children above 12 years of age being administered Pfizer vaccine and booster doses.

Maldives has been experiencing a surge in common cold cases due to the adverse effects of the severe weather conditions. Hence, it is important to follow safety precautions. 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.