COVID-19: 101 confirmed positive cases

National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has announced that 101 positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the Maldives.

Speaking in a press conference tonight, NEOC spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez said that the 101 cases were tested positive since last night's press conference up until 18:00 tonight. Along with the new positive cases, the total number of positive cases for the country now stands at 1,773.

Mabrouq said that the number of samples collected since last night’s press conference up until 18:00 tonight was 476. Out of these, 101 had tested positive for the virus, while the results of 502 samples are currently pending. He also announced that the number of recoveries in the country has now increased to 453.

The Maldives now has 1,313 active cases. Five individuals have also passed away from the virus so far in the country, Recoveries are numbered at 453. 

“The figure identified from contact tracing is 1,132. 470 locations are also under monitoring mechanisms," said Mabrouq.

Based on clusters, Mabrouq said that 13 positive cases were identified in containment sites while 79 others had tested positive in connection with other clusters. One case was an independent case. Based on locals, seven had tested positive from clusters, while seven locals were also deemed as independent cases not connected with any clusters.

There are currently 1258 individuals in isolation facilities and 1403 in quarantine facilities. 69 individuals were also released from such facilities today after testing negative for the virus. The Maldives has so far tested 24,773 for the virus.

Speaking in tonight's press conference, NEOC medical officer Dr. Ibrahim Afzal said that out of the 101 confirmed cases, 79 had belonged to the same cluster. He added that the authorities did not believe that the sudden increase in cases was due to easements brought to the lockdown measures in the country.

Health experts have previously projected a surge of cases in the country by the end of May. However, the estimated figures were very much reduced after the authorities deemed the virus situation in the country as under control. The figures were revised due to the effectiveness of the lockdown measures.

Positive cases identified in the Maldives include more than 800 Bangladeshi nationals, 500 locals as well as 165 Indian nationals.

The majority of these cases were identified in the capital Male’ City. Five people have so far died from the virus in the Maldives. They include three elderly locals and two Bangladeshi nationals. 

Due to the control of the spread, the government has eased some of the restrictive measures in place across the country. However, a travel ban initiated in mid-April is still in effect and the capital is still in lockdown since April 15.