COVID-19: Maldives records 97 new infections

Health Protection Agency (HPA), on Wednesday, announced 97 additional cases of the new coronavirus, increasing confirmed coronavirus cases in Maldives to 10,291.

According to HPA, the 97 new cases include 42 locals and 55 foreigners.

50 of the cases were identified from the greater Male’ region, while the remaining 47 were identified from the atolls.

Meanwhile, 71 additional coronavirus patients were confirmed to have made full recoveries over the last 24 hours, increasing total recoveries to 9,108.

The new developments mean Maldives now has 1,142 active cases.

There are 585 patients in isolation facilities and 75 in hospitals.

1,677 samples have been tested for the new coronavirus over the last 24 hours.

With the 97 new infections this Wednesday, 406  people have tested positive over the last one-week period.

September 30: 97 cases

September 29: 37 cases

September 28: 59 cases

September 27: 53 cases

September 26: 31 cases

September 25: 75 cases

September 24: 54 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.

6,488 people – making for 63 percent of the 10,291 coronavirus cases in the country, are Maldivians, while the remaining 37 percent are foreign nationals.

34 coronavirus patients have died from complications.

There are 87 active coronavirus cases in 22 residential islands outside of the greater Male’ area. G. Dh. Hoadedhoo remains under monitoring.

There are also active cases in 22 resorts, including 10 tourists and 17 staff.