186 samples tested positive for the Covid-19 infection from a total of 4,765 samples tested on Thursday, bringing the Maldives' total Covid-19 tally up to 17,387 with 2,243 active cases across the nation.

Out of the 186 additional new cases detected on Thursday, 162 were confirmed from the nation's capital and congested Covid-19 epicenter, Male' City. Another 14 cases were reported from inhabited islands, and 10 persons tested positive for the Covid-19 from operational resorts by Thursday evening.

As per the Health Protection Agency (HPA)'s latest statistics, the Maldives' total Covid-19 now stands at 17,387 with 450,943 samples having been tested for the infection.

An additional 103 recoveries were observed from the virus between 6pm Wednesday and 6pm Thursday, bringing the total number of Covid-19 recoveries reported in the Maldives up to 15,081.

211 people were admitted in hospital for care due to Covid-19 on Thursday, which is three less than the previous day. A total of 56 people have died in the Maldives from Covid-19 related health complications thus far.

While the Maldives' Covid-19 outlook continues to worsen as a concerning number of cases continue to be detected from the nation's congested capital, vaccination efforts are underway across 62 vaccination centers established all over the country. The government continues to pursue their goal of having all persons living in the country vaccinated against Covid-19 in the next six months.

The Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) has advised caution from businesses and members of the public as the nation battles a growing caseload that the HPA expresses could potentially become a devastating third-wave. While a nation-wide mask mandate was implemented across all the inhabited islands of the Maldives last week, the government of Maldives had accumulated over MVR 1.5 million in mask fines between 31 January and 7 February.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) warned at the start of this month that they would no longer be hesitating to take action against those who fail to follow the health and safety guidelines as set forth by the HPA. Individuals who do not mask effectively while out in public spaces are to be fined with MVR 1,000, with the penalty increasing for repeat offenders. As the holy month of Ramazan fast approaches, public health authorities have requested more support on behalf of the public in helping curb the spread of Covid-19.