COVID-19: 67 new infections, 16 recoveries

Health Protection Agency (HPA), on Sunday, announced 67 additional cases of the new coronavirus, increasing confirmed coronavirus cases in Maldives to 2,731.

According to HPA, the 67 new cases are; 52 Maldivians, 14 Bangladeshis and one Indian.

Meanwhile, 16 additional coronavirus patients were confirmed to have made full recoveries over the last 24-hours, increasing total recoveries to 2,284 people.

The new developments means Maldives now has 419 active cases.

There are 353 people in isolation facilities, and 71 people in quarantine facilities.

61,819 samples, including repeated samples, have been taken by health authorities to conduct coronavirus testing.

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

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

The populous capital quickly emerged as the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Maldives, contributing to over 90 percent of total cases.

38 percent of the 2,731 coronavirus cases in the country are Maldivians, while the remaining 62 percent are foreign nationals. 1,328 people – making for 49 percent of total coronavirus cases – are Bangladeshis. The rest of the coronavirus cases include 1,082 Maldivians, 233 Indians, 45 Nepalese, and 19 Sri Lankans and 11 Italians.

13 coronavirus patients have died from complications.

The beginning of July has seen further relaxation of coronavirus restrictions; mosques in the greater Male’ region have been reopened for congregational prayers for the first time in over three months, cafes and restaurants have been allowed to reopen for dine-in services, and government offices and courthouses have officially reopened.

While those who leave the greater Male’ region are still subject to mandatory quarantine, people from other residential islands are now allowed to enter the capital without special authorization.

The relaxation of the restrictions has been marked by an increase in daily infections.

With the 67 new infections this Sunday, 263 people have tested positive over the past one-week period.

July 12: 67 cases

July 11: 47 cases

July 10: 64 cases

July 9: 36 cases

July 8: 16 cases

July 7: 10 cases

July 6: 23 cases

Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) continues to urge the public to maintain social distancing and other preventive measures.