COVID-19: 55 confirmed cases, 70 recoveries

Health professionals engage in a COVID-19 preparedness drill in Maldives on March 25, 2020. (File Photo/Sun/Fayaz Moosa)

Health Protection Agency (HPA), has announced 55 additional cases of COVID-19, increasing confirmed coronavirus cases in Maldives to 3,175.

According to HPA, the 55 new cases are; 31 Maldivians, 21 Bangladeshis, two Indians and one Sri Lankan national.

Meanwhile, 70 additional coronavirus patients were confirmed to have made full recoveries over the last 24-hours, increasing total recoveries to 2,498 people.

The new developments mean Maldives now has 647 active cases.

There are 531 people in isolation facilities.

70,845 samples, including repeated samples, have been taken by health authorities to conduct coronavirus tests.

Maldives identified its first coronavirus case on March 7, and declared a state of public health emergency over the pandemic less than a week later on March 12.

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.

15 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, cafes and restaurants reopened 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 country’s borders, which were closed on March 27, reopened after more than three months on July 15.