COVID-19: 22 positive cases, four recoveries

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced that 22 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Maldives from 18:00 yesterday to the same time tonight. The agency also confirmed that four individuals have recovered from the virus in the last 24 hours.

The individuals that tested positive today include:

• 10 Bangladeshi nationals
• 9 locals
• 3 Indian nationals

The total number of positive cases in the country right now is 1,872. The number of active cases stands at 1,215.

A total of 648 individuals have also made full recoveries from the virus. The death toll of the virus remains as it is at seven. Four locals and three foreigners passed away from the virus in the Maldives.

Currently, there are 1,196 individuals in isolation with a further 1,478 in quarantine. Authorities have conducted 27,944 tests for the virus so far, including repeat tests.

The Maldives identified its first COVID-19 case on March 7 and declared a state of public health emergency over the pandemic on March 12.

While COVID-19 cases had initially been restricted to resorts and safaris, and later quarantine facilities holding inbound travelers, Male’ City identified its first COVID-19 case on April 15, prompting a city-wide lockdown and a nationwide ban on nonessential travel.

The populous Male’ City has since become the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, contributing to over 90 percent of the total cases. However, due to control in the number of cases, authorities have introduced some easements to restrictions that are to be rolled back in phases.

Case numbers have been reducing gradually since then. Only nine cases were identified yesterday, while the number of recoveries keeps on rising.