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Wednesday 25 Dec 2024
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) medical officer, Dr. Ibrahim Afzal.
The lockdown order on the capital Male’ City will be lifted after the collected information portrays a reduction of cases, the National Emergency Operations Center has stated.
In a press conference tonight, NEOC medical officer Dr. Ibrahim Afzal stated that a significant reduction of cases would only lead to a lift of the lockdown order.
“What we can take away from the reduction of daily cases is that the containment measures in place are effective. Meaning that the instructions by everyone operating in every direction are being effectively followed. A decision to lift or maintain the lockdown will be taken at the highest level by the NEOC if we begin to see this.” Said Dr. Afzal.
He added that the situation of the country could be evaluated more easily once the 14 day lockdown period underway currently expires on May 28. A decision can be made based on that data.
“For instance, if the surge that we predicted occurs we may have to extend the lockdown due to that. However, if it comes in a controlled manner or from the data we receive, we may revise our projections.” Said Dr. Afzal.
He once again stressed the importance of the measures that citizens have to follow post-lockdown. A decision on whether to lift the lockdown in phases or not would also be discussed by the NEOC.
The total number of cases in the country currently stands at 1094. 59 people have made recoveries after testing positive for the virus while four have died from complications.
So far more than 560 Bangladeshi nationals have tested positive. More than 300 locals have also tested positive along with 104 Indian nationals.
Out of the confirmed cases, more than 900 are male, while around 150 are female.
The first case of the virus in the country was identified on March 7, nearly 71 days ago.
Local transmission of the virus was identified on April 15 in Male' City. Cases have also popped up on the islands of Sh. Narudhoo, Sh. Milandhoo, H.A Uligan, H.A Thakandhoo, K. Thulusdhoo, N. Manadhoo, and most recently K. Hinmafushi.
The majority of the cases, accounting for more than 1000, have been tested in the capital Male' City.
The Greater Male’ Region has been under lockdown since April 15, when the capital identified its first infection.
The Maldives has also imposed a nationwide ban on all non-essential travel, closed schools, and government offices, and has ordered a temporary ban on mass gatherings in mosques in an effort to control the spread of the disease.
Health authorities project a significant surge in virus cases by the end of May.
