Maldives Covid-19 tally has surpassed 18,000 with the 129 new infections reported on Tuesday.

While the cases were confirmed from 5,045 samples tested within 24 hours, 120 were detected from the Male’ region while three were from residential islands and six from operational resorts.

This pushes the country’s Covid-19 total to 18,082 while active cases have risen to 2,384, out of which 172 were receiving in-Hospital care by 6pm on Tuesday; 18 less than the previous day.

Further, with the 73 additional recoveries reported on Tuesday, a total of 15,633 patients have recovered from the virus this far in the island nation.

There have been 58 deaths from coronavirus complications, including 10 this year.

While health officials have confirmed that the Covid-19 spike seen since January 24 as the third wave, this led to strengthened safety measures in the capital and across the country.

As such, the measures imposed in capital Male’ on February 3 were extended by two more weeks on Tuesday. This includes a curfew and night-time vehicle movement restriction, as well as a ban on public gatherings. It also extends online sessions for colleges and universities.

While Male’ has been identified as the Covid-19 epicenter since the pandemic reached the Maldives, cases from outlying atolls have been increasing over the past few weeks. Authorities last week imposed curfews in Addu and Fuvahmulah cities, following the detection of Covid-19 community transmission. 62 infections have been confirmed in Addu while 26 were detected from Fuvahmulah.

Due to the increase in cases and high possibility of the situation in outlying islands worsening, authorities imposed a nationwide mask mandate last week as part of the efforts to control the spread of the virus.

Health authorities have raised concern over the increase in coronavirus infections, calling on all to strictly adhere to safety measures, given the country’s already weak healthcare system.