COVID-19: 194 new positive cases, 167 Maldivians

Health Protection Agency (HPA), on Friday, announced 194 additional cases of COVID-19, increasing confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Maldives to 6,564.

According to HPA, the new cases are 167 Maldivians, 16 Bangladeshis, seven Indians, one Sri Lankan, one Nepali, one Thai, and one Italian.

191 of the cases were identified from the greater Male’ region, while the remaining three were identified from other atolls.

Meanwhile, 97 additional COVID-19 patients were confirmed to have made full recoveries over the last 24-hours, increasing total recoveries to 4,012.

The new developments mean the Maldives now has 2,527 active cases.

There are 1,398 patients in isolation facilities and 166 in hospitals.

101,730 samples, including repeated samples, have been taken by health authorities to conduct COVID-19 tests.

Caseload over the last seven days:

August 21: 194 cases

August 20: 145 cases

August 19: 146 cases

August 18: 170 cases

August 17: 124 cases

August 16: 106 cases

August 15: 107 cases

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

The populous capital quickly emerged as the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Maldives, contributing to over 90 percent of total cases.

25 COVID-19 patients have died from complications.

There are 21 residential islands and cities with active COVID-19 cases outside of the greater Male’ region. They are: H. Dh. Naavaidhoo, H. Dh. Kurinbi, N. Miladhoo, B. Kamadhoo, R. Hulhudhuffaaru, R. Inguraidhoo, Lh. Hinnavaru, Lh. Naifaru, K. Thulusdhoo, K. Hinmafushi, A. Dh. Maamingili, A. Dh. Omadhoo, F. Nilandhoo, V. Keyodhoo, V. Thinadhoo, Th. Madifushi, Th. Vilufushi, Th. Thimarafushi, and Addu City (Hithadhoo, Feydhoo).

There are also active cases in 17 resorts, which include four tourists and 13 staff.