Covid-19: Active cases detected from 72 islands
Eight islands were placed under monitoring in the ongoing month of May
Aerial shot of islands in Baa Atoll of the Maldives
While the number of active cases of Covid-19 across Maldives has risen past the 6,500-mark, Health Protection Agency (HPA) statistics show that the potentially fatal infection has thus far been detected from 72 islands in the Maldives, including residential islands, tourist resorts and islands reserved for industrial purposes.
Speaking at a press by the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) on Tuesday night, President's Office Spokesperson Mabrook Azeez revealed that the number of active cases of Covid-19 across the Maldives had increased to 6,508. The number of daily new Covid-19 infections being detected across the country had been at a record high over the past week, and had peaked on Tuesday as 601 new cases of the infection were reported.
Maldives has been battling a third wave of the global Covid-19 pandemic, with a number of cases of the infection having been reported from across the geographically distanced islands of the country. The latest statistics by HPA show that 440 people had tested positive for Covid-19 from the Greater Male' Area over the past day, with 141 new cases detected from residential islands.
Public health authorities have been taking a number of steps to control the spread of Covid-19 in Maldives. HPA has been placing islands under monitoring following the detection of positive Covid-19 cases, and as of now, 27 islands across the Maldives have been placed under monitoring due to Covid-19. Travel to and from islands placed under monitoring by HPA will be discontinued until further notice by the authority. The islands most recently placed under monitoring by HPA are Addu City, ADh. Dhangethi, HA. Dhihdhoo, F. Feeali, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, AA. Himandhoo and Guraidhoo island of Kaafu atoll.
In addition to this, Covid-19 health and safety measures have been strengthened across the Maldives capital and infection epicenter Male' City, from where over 400 new cases were detected on Tuesday. A curfew has been announced for the Greater Male' Region, effective between 12am and 4am, with schools and government offices to also remain closed. Touching down on the matter, Spokesperson Mabrook stated that the Maldives Police Service will be more active in implementing the new measures, and that the situation would be monitored closely as it progresses.
