Maldives' total Covid-19 tally has now passed the 20,000-mark with 165 new cases of the infection confirmed across the island nation on Tuesday.

132 of the 165 new cases of Covid-19 reported on Tuesday were from the Greater Male' area, while 13 new cases were observed from inhabited islands. 19 cases of Covid-19 were reported from operational resorts, and an additional new case was reported from an industrial island.

With this, the Maldives' total Covid-19 tally has passed the 20,000-mark, and is presently 20,144. As of sundown on Tuesday, 2,605 of this number were active cases, and 186 persons have been admitted across the country for in-hospital care from the infection.

A further 127 recoveries from the infection were reported on Tuesday. bringing the total number of recoveries observed for the infection in Maldives up to 17,470. The Maldives' Covid-19 death toll is presently 62, with the two most recent deaths reported over the last two days. 16 percent of all deaths attributed to the Covid-19 infection in Maldives occurred within the month of February 2021, as the island nation goes through a devastating third peak of the pandemic.

HPA statistics also show that the flu positivity rate has gone down despite the increase in cases, especially from the Male' area, which means that fewer people are attending flu clinics despite presenting symptoms of Covid-19. Health authorities have also noted that some are disregarding quarantine and isolation to go mingle with others, resulting in many persons being identified as direct contacts of positive cases down the line.

Restrictions for schools, mosques and businesses have been strengthened in the Greater Male' area, from where a majority of daily new cases are confirmed. Health Minister Ahmed Naseem has previously described the Covid-19 situation in Male' City as "out of control" and "dangerous". However, he assured that authorities are working towards reducing the capital's caseload without initiating an economically restrictive full-lockdown in the city.