COVID-19: 26 positive cases, 7 recoveries

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has just announced the confirmation of 26 new COVID-19 cases, along with seven recoveries.

The confirmed cases tonight include:

• 03 locals
• 16 Bangladeshi nationals
• 03 Nepali nationals
• 03 Indian nationals
• 01 Sri Lankan national

The total number of confirmed cases in the country has now increased to 2,120. Currently, there are 318 in quarantine along with 281 in isolation.

The recovery of seven individuals means that the number of active cases in the country currently stands at 414. Total number of recoveries in the country currently stands at 1,677.

Authorities have so far collected 37,491 samples for the virus along with repeat samples. The Maldives has so far confirmed eight deaths for the virus. They include four locals and four Bangladeshi nationals.

The Maldives identified its first COVID-19 case on March 7 and declared a state of public health emergency over the pandemic four days later on March 11.

While COVID-19 cases had initially been restricted to resorts and safaris, and later quarantine facilities holding inbound travelers, Male’ City identified its first COVID-19 case on April 15, prompting a city-wide lockdown and a nationwide ban on nonessential travel.

The country has now begun relaxing the lockdown in a bid to promote economic activity and return to normal life in late May. Since June 15, It has now entered the second phase of the lockdown easements, where residents of Male’ City are permitted outdoors for the first time in two months.