Political head assigned to each atoll to coordinate COVID-19 response

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has assigned a state minister or deputy minister with the task of coordinating COVID-19 response in each atoll.

Health Ministry said the decision was made by the President in an effort to improve coordination and improve efficiency of monitoring COVID-19 situation in each atoll.

Maldives has been experiencing a surge in both infection rate and fatalities in recent weeks. Over 70 residential islands outside the Maldivian capital have been placed under monitoring.

With the surge in positive cases and their contacts, health authorities have imposed new restrictions in the capital, and curfews have been imposed in all residential islands outside the capital placed under monitoring.

Maldives has 61,844 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 901 new cases recorded on Friday. 36,862 patients have since recovered.

The country currently has 24,818 active cases. 252 of the patients are hospitalized.