72 coronavirus patients hospitalized

Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) announced on Saturday that 72 coronavirus patients have been hospitalized.

In a press conference on Saturday night, HEOC spokesperson and epidemiologist Dr. Nazla Rafeeq said that the hospitalized patients include one patient at the DH11 in Dharumavantha Hospital, one patient at the coronavirus medical facility in B. Eydhafushi and one patient at the coronavirus medical facility in Sh. Funadhoo.

Meanwhile, 65 more patients are hospitalized at the coronavirus medical facility in Hulhumale’. Of the 65 patients, 60 are being treated at the ward, while the remaining five are being treated at the Intensive Care Unit. Two of the patients in the ICU are being treated on ventilators.

Maldives recorded 156 new cases this Saturday, marking the biggest single-day spike of coronavirus cases to be recorded in the country.

154 of the cases were identified from the greater Male’ region, while the remaining two were identified from the atolls.

The 156 cases increase total coronavirus cases to 3,949.

2,613 patients have since recovered, while 16 have died from complications.

The number of active cases stands at 1,305.

The surge in coronavirus cases has been attributed to the relaxation of the lockdown in July. An increasing number of new coronavirus cases are unlinked to existing clusters, which health authorities warn indicates a wide community spread.

HPA initiated a mass inspection of cafés and restaurants, shops, gyms and fitness centers, salons and markets in the greater Male’ region last week to check for compliance with coronavirus safety guidelines, a follow-up to a mass inspection conducted earlier in July.

Meanwhile, wearing masks in public, which had previously been a recommendation, has now been declared mandatory for the greater Male' region.