Maldives confirmed 156 new cases of the global Covid-19 pandemic on Saturday.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed via its nightly publications that the new cases reported by 6pm on Saturday include 134 Maldivians, 20 Bangladeshi nationals, one Indian national and one Sri Lankan national.

154 out of the 156 cases were reported in the Greater Malé Region and the remaining two from outlying atolls.

Further, six recoveries were reported on Saturday, pushing the total recoveries to 2,613 from 2,607.

There are currently 1,305 active cases in the island nation, that has seen 16 Covid-19 related deaths thus far.

While 815 individuals are receiving treatment at isolation facilities, 72 patients have been hospitalized for treatment.

Within the past week, a record number of cases of the virus were reported.

Cases crossed the 100 mark for the first time since the government began easing the lockdown imposed across the Greater Malé Region on May 29, on Tuesday where 137 cases were reported. This included 92 locals, 31 Bangladeshis, nine Indians, four Sri Lankans and a Filipino national.

On Thursday, 152 new cases were reported, out of which 89 Maldivians were Maldivians and the remaining were 54 Bangladeshi nationals, five Indian nationals and four Sri Lankan nationals.

The hike in Covid-19 cases was deemed by the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) to have been caused by the reopening of government offices and state institutions, as most cases were being reported from government offices.

While the citizens have been expressing deep concern regarding the spike in cases, the authorities have revealed that they do not intend to introduce a second lockdown, however, they will be enforcing stricter measures as part of which the government on Saturday began enforcing the use of face masks, failure to adhere to this rule will lead to a fine of MVR 1,000.