With record-breaking numbers of new Covid-19 infections detected over the weekend, Maldives reported an additional 253 new Covid-19 infections on Sunday, including 75 recoveries from the infection observed nationwide.

147 of the 253 new cases reported Sunday were from the Male' area, with 35 new cases reported from inhabited islands, and 31 cases from operational resorts. 40 other infections were detected from islands reserved for industrial use.

Health authorities tested a total of 3,485 samples for the infection between Saturday and Sunday.

This is the highest number of daily new Covid-19 cases confirmed in Maldives since the infection first began spreading across the island nation. The number of new cases of Covid-19 reported daily across the Maldives previously topped the 300-case mark on 2 April 2021.

With Sunday's 253 new infections, the number of active cases of Covid-19 across the country have increased by 242 to 3,549 active cases.

As of now, the Maldives' total Covid-19 case tally is 27,874. By sundown on Sunday, 123 people remain admitted in hospitals for Covid-19 treatment across the country.

A further 75 recoveries from the infection were reported on Sunday, bringing the total number of recoveries observed for the infection in Maldives up to 24,309.

Covid-19 health and safety restrictions were eased across the densely-populated capital ahead of the fasting month of Ramazan, where Covid-19 cases have been spiking of late. More cases of Covid-19 were confirmed from residential islands than Male' City over the weekend as authorities work to contain large infection clusters from across atolls.

Pediatrician Dr. Ahmed Faisal tweeted on Saturday to reveal that three infants born to Covid-positive patients were now being treated on ventilators, even though they had tested negative for the Covid-19 infection. Dr. Faisal added that there was a shortage of resources in the health sector, such as that of nurses, machines and medical equipment in the Maldives.

The state of public health emergency across the country has been extended until 4 May. Authorities most recently confirmed the 71st death from Covid-19 in Maldives, including which a total of 23 people have died from the infection in Maldives in 2021. With a Covid-19 mortality rate of 0.26 percent, most of those who have passed away after contracting the infection in the island nation are elderly persons.

Public health authorities continue to stress the importance of following Covid-19 health and safety measures set to control transmission of the virus, including social distancing, avoiding public gatherings, maintaining hand hygiene and effective masking while outdoors.