COVID-19: 36 new virus cases identified

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has just announced the confirmation of 36 new COVID-19 cases in the Maldives.

On its official Twitter account, HPA announced that out of the 36 new cases, 29 individuals are Bangladeshi nationals while 6 are Maldivians. An Indian national also tested positive for the virus, raising the total number of virus cases confirmed in the Maldives to 177.

✳️ COVID-19 Latest Update:

An additional 36 cases (MAV0142 to MAV0177) of 29 Bangladeshis, 6 Maldivians and 1 Indian nationals have been confirmed.

These cases include 30 individuals from three vulnerable houses.

The individuals will be moved to an Isolation Facility.

— Health Protection Agency (@HPA_MV) April 25, 2020

HPA also stated that out of the 36 cases, 30 individuals were tested positive from vulnerable residences. Authorities are now working to move the individuals to an isolation facility, The confirmation of 36 cases, is the single biggest number of positive cases announced by the authorities in a single day.

The first case of a community spread in the Maldives was identified in the capital Male’ City on April 15, prompting authorities to impose a lockdown and curfew on the Greater Male’ Region, including Hulhumale' and Vilimale'. The lockdown was later extended to cover the entire nation. People who travelled to outer lying islands from the capital have also been instructed to practice 14 days of self-isolation at home by the authorities.