COVID-19: Maldives records 125 new infections

Health Protection Agency (HPA), on Saturday, announced 125 additional cases of the new coronavirus, increasing confirmed coronavirus cases in Maldives to 8,486.

According to HPA, the 125 new cases include 112 locals and 13 foreigners.

106 of the cases were identified from the greater Male’ region, while the remaining 19 were identified from the atolls.

Meanwhile, 180 additional coronavirus patients were confirmed to have made full recoveries over the last 24-hours, increasing total recoveries to 5,822.

The new developments mean Maldives now has 2,629 active cases.

There are 1,235 patients in isolation facilities and 168 in hospitals.

119,460 samples, including repeated samples, have been taken by health authorities to conduct coronavirus tests.

With the 125 new infections this Saturday, 908 people have tested positive over the last one-week period.

September 5: 125 cases

September 4: 80 cases

September 3: 141 cases

September 2: 137 cases

September 1: 199 cases

August 31: 137 cases

August 30: 89 cases

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.

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

5,323 people – making for 62 percent of the 8,486 coronavirus cases in the country, are Maldivians, while the remaining 38 percent are foreign nationals.

29 coronavirus patients have died from complications.

There are 111 active coronavirus cases in 38 residential islands outside of the greater Male’ area. Two islands outside of the capital, G. Dh. Hoadedhoo and G. Dh. Madaveli, are under monitoring.

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