COVID-19: Active cases in Maafushi Prison rise to 52; 211 quarantined

Maafushi Prison – on high-alert following an outbreak of COVID-19 cases – has confirmed additional cases. 

Information released by Maldives Correctional Service on Monday show the Maafushi Prison currently has 52 active cases. This includes 44 inmates and seven prison officers. 

Meanwhile, 211 people are quarantined; 210 inmates and one prison officer. 

78 people who contracted COVID-19 have recovered; 62 inmates and 16 prison officers. 

The latest outbreak at Maafushi Prison was detected after samples taken on January 13 came back positive for COVID-19. Emergency status was invoked at the prison the next day, prompting additional restrictions. 

In-person family visits, lawyer visits and court hearings have been suspended and changed to virtual meetings and hearings. 

A COVID-19 outbreak at the Maafushi Prison four months back had prompted several high-risk inmates to be transferred to home confinement. 

Maldives is battling a nation-wide surge in COVID-19 cases, fueled by the new Omicron variant. Health experts expect the cases to peak by the end of January or beginning of February. 

Maldives has 120,168 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 2,707 new cases on Monday. 104, 164 patients have recovered, while 270 have died from complications. 

The country currently has 15,721 active cases.