Maldives Covid-19 tally surpasses 32,000-mark with over 700 new cases reported on Wednesday
Healthcare authorities strengthened measures nationwide on Tuesday and announced a curfew to take effect on Thursday
Healthcare workers collecting samples for Covid-19 testing
With a record total of 734 new Covid-19 infections reported nationwide, Maldives Covid-19 tally has surpassed 32,665.
It has been over a week where Maldives has been recording alarming numbers of coronavirus infections, with latest statistics publicized by the public health authority indicating that a total of 4,787 samples were tested for the virus between 6pm Tuesday and 6pm Wednesday.
Of the 734 new coronavirus cases, 540 were reported in the Greater Malé Region, 186 from residential islands and seven from operational resorts. Further, an additional infection was confirmed from an island reserved for industrial purposes.
This means that the Maldives Covid-19 tally has risen to 32,665.
With 133 additional recoveries reported over the past 24 hours, the number of recoveries from Covid-19 reported across the Maldives increased to 25,473.
By Wednesday’s end active coronavirus cases rose to 7,109 from 6,508.
Over the past 24 hours, 17 more Covid-19 patient were hospitalized for treatment, meaning that the number of hospital admissions has risen to 198.
The Covid-19 caseload has begun spiking in recent weeks at a time Maldives was able to control a spike in cases into the beginning of the new year, with strengthened measures such as a curfew period and travel restrictions. However, authorities lifted the measures in place in time for the fasting month of Ramadan 1442 as well as the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections held in mid-April.
Starting Wednesday, a four-hour ban on vehicle movement is in effect alongside other strengthened measures nationwide, including revoking the permit to travel within residential islands two weeks after completing the two Covid-19 vaccination shots, without the need to quarantine. Measures have been strengthened for a period of 10 days, after which additional extensions will be implemented should the need arise. Further authorities will impose a seven-hour curfew in the capital region from Thursday onwards.
Maldives has been in a state of public health emergency for over a year and the last extension is set to expire on June 3.
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.
