COVID-19: 30 confirmed new cases, 229 recoveries, active cases fall to 515

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced the confirmation of 30 new COVID-19 cases in the Maldives, along with 229 recoveries. 

They are 

• 16 locals
• 13 Bangladeshi nationals
• 01 Nepalese national

The number of confirmed cases in the country has now increased to 2,065. Currently, there are 356 in quarantine with a further 362 in isolation.

The recovery of 229 means that the number of active cases in the country has now fallen to 515. A total of 1,540 individuals have recovered from the virus so far.

Authorities have so far collected 35,533 samples for the virus, including repeat samples.

The Maldives identified its first COVID-19 case on March 7 and declared a state of public health emergency over the pandemic four days later on March 11.

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 COVID-19 outbreak in the country, contributing to over 90 percent of the total cases.

The Maldives has also confirmed eight COVID-19 related deaths, four of whom are elderly  Maldivians and four of whom are Bangladeshis.

The Maldives began relaxing the lockdown in a bid to promote economic activity and return to normal life in late May. Since June 15, It has now entered the second phase of the lockdown easements, where residents of Male’ City will be permitted outdoors for the first time in two months.

Mosques, parks, and public spaces in Male' City have also been opened with safety measures. Authorities have announced recently that restaurants and cafe's, schools are set to open in July.

Measures in all other islands have also been lifted.