Maldives Covid-19 tally exceeds 21,000

Maldives Covid-19 tally has surpassed 21,000.

According to latest statistics publicized by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), a total of 115 new coronavirus infections were confirmed by sundown on Tuesday.

Out of the over 100 new infections, 98 were detected in the Greater Malé Region, whereas 12 were discovered from operational resorts and the remaining five from residential islands.

The new cases were confirmed out of the 3,877 samples collected for testing from 6pm Monday to 6pm Tuesday.

With this development, Maldives Covid-19 case count currently sits at 21,034.

Further, HPA reported 175 recoveries from the virus on Sunday, which means that a total of 18,428 patients have recovered from the pandemic in the island nation since the pandemic surfaced in the country over a year ago on March 7.

The country currently has 2,535 active coronavirus infections, out of which 165 patients remain hospitalized for treatment.

Speaking to press on Tuesday, Spokesperson at the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC), Dr. Nazla Rafeeq confirmed that six individuals are being treated in the ward of the 16th floor of Dharumavantha Hospital, whereas 158 Covid-19 patients are seeking treatment from the Hulhumalé Medical Facility. Further, she noted that out of the active cases, one patient is being treated at the Covid Facility in Funadhoo island of Shaviyani atoll.

Last week, public health authorities reported the 64th death from Covid-19, confirming the passing of a 78-year-old local man, being treated on the 11th floor of Dharumavantha Hospital.

With this being said, in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the region public health authorities recently extended and implemented stricter measures across the nation.

For over a month, infections have been snowballing and public health authorities have been raising concern over the mounting caseload, however, the authorities remain resolute to avoid imposing a second lockdown across the capital region.

Under new measures, Malé City residents are now required to provide negative PCR results with a sample taken 72 hours prior to traveling to island, with special permission for essential travel.

Authorities reintroduced a curfew in the Greater Malé Region on February 12, in light of the spike in daily infections being reported for the past couple of weeks. The nearly six-hour curfew was followed by restrictions on vehicle movement from 6pm to 6am for Greater Malé residents.

The country remains in a state of public health emergency since 12 March 2020, the last extension was a week before and is set to expire on April 4.

HPA statistics also show that the flu positivity rate has gone down despite the increase in cases, especially from the capital region, which means that fewer people are attending flu clinics despite presenting symptoms of Covid-19. Health authorities have warned that they may have to begin "choosing" Covid-19 patients for treatment if the caseload continues to increase, and have requested public support in controlling the spread of the virus to prevent further fatalities.