Maldives reports 42 new Covid-19 cases

Maldives reported 42 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, the highest daily increase in days.

While this includes 28 locals and 14 foreigners, 32 of the cases were confirmed from the greater Male’ region and the remaining from other islands or resorts.

The 42 cases are from the 1,215 samples tested within 24 hours. This pushes the country's Covid-19 case count to 12,154.

With an additional 18 recoveries, the country’s total recoveries have reached 11,262.

Furthermore, with an additional Covid-19 death announced on Saturday, there have been 42 deaths.

There are 843 active Covid-19 cases currently, including in seven residential islands and 26 resorts. 49 patients are being treated at hospitals, three less than the previous day.

While a state of public health emergency was declared after the confirmation of coronavirus cases in the Maldives, it was extended for the ninth time earlier this month.

However, authorities have been easing precautionary measures following a gradual decrease in cases since September. As such, curfew hours have been shortened.

Some measures that remain are the facemask mandate and the 14-day quarantine requirement after traveling from Male' region to outlying islands.