COVID-19: Additional 80 cases confirmed, 159 recoveries

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced 80 additional cases of the new COVID-19 increasing confirmed cases in the Maldives to 8,361.

According to HPA, the new cases include 60 locals and 20 foreigners.

77 of the cases were identified from the greater Male’ region, while the remaining seven were identified from the atolls.

Meanwhile, 159 additional COVID-19 patients were confirmed to have made full recoveries over the last 24-hours, increasing total recoveries to 5,642.

The new developments mean the Maldives now has 2,684 active cases.

There are 1,253 patients in isolation facilities and 162 in hospitals.

118,384 samples, including repeated samples, have been taken by health authorities to conduct COVID-19 tests.

Caseload over the week:

• September 4: 80 cases
• September 3: 141 cases
• September 2: 137 cases
• September 1: 199 cases
• August 31: 137 cases
• August 30: 89 cases
• August 29: 109 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.

29 COVID-19 patients have died from complications.

The Maldives currently has active COVID-19 cases in 39 residential islands outside of the greater Male’ area. 

There are also active cases in 20 resorts, including 17 tourists and 45 staff.