COVID-19: 119 cases in a single day, figures higher than expected

The Maldives has now confirmed 119 cases of COVID-19 in the last 24-hours alone. With the additional cases confirmed by the authorities, the total number of cases in the country now stands at 396.

In a press conference tonight, National Emergency Operations Center officials stated that the numbers of confirmed cases are higher than what was expected.

Graphs displayed at the daily press briefing of the NEOC showed that the figures relatd to the virus in the country were higher than previously projected.

The 95 individuals tested positive earlier today, include 61 Bangladeshi nationals, 32 Indian nationals as well as two individuals from Nepal. 11 others were also announced as positive for COVID-19 by the HPA today. They include nine locals as well as two Bangladeshi nationals. Along with previously announced cases, the total for the country is at a staggering 119 cases today.

NEOC medical officer, Dr. Ibrahim Afzal stated that the authorities were expecting case numbers to keep on increasing due to the high number of contacts from positive cases.

“As we expected previously, our curve is going higher,”

“Looking at our current list of contacts, chances that case numbers may increase is very high.” Said Dr. Afzal.

Large numbers were confirmed from the BZM cluster which includes cases identified from the market area collectively. The COVID village cluster, designated as COV cluster has also increased in number, said the doctor.

Maldives now has 396 cases of COVID-19 with just one death. 17 people have made recoveries from the virus in the country.