COVID-19: 146 new infections, 140 recoveries

Health Protection Agency (HPA), on Wednesday, announced 146 additional cases of the new coronavirus, increasing confirmed coronavirus cases in Maldives to 6,225.

According to HPA, the 146 new cases are 117 Maldivians, 21 Bangladeshis, five Sri Lankans, two Indians, and one Filipino.

144 of the cases were identified from the greater Male’ region, while the remaining two were identified from the atolls

Meanwhile, 140 additional coronavirus patients were confirmed to have made full recoveries over the last 24-hours, increasing total recoveries to 3,788.

The new developments mean Maldives now has 2,413 active cases.

There are 1,390 patients in isolation facilities and 152 in hospitals.

99,300 samples, including repeated samples, have been taken by health authorities to conduct coronavirus tests.

With the 146 new infections this Wednesday, 859 people have tested positive over the last one-week period.

August 19: 146 cases

August 18: 170 cases

August 17: 124 cases

August 16: 106 cases

August 15: 107 cases

August 14: 78 cases

August 13: 128 cases

Maldives identified its first coronavirus case on March 7, and declared a state of public health emergency over the pandemic less than a week later on March 12.

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

The populous capital quickly emerged as the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Maldives, contributing to over 90 percent of total cases.

3,578 people – making for 57 percent of the 6,225 coronavirus cases in the country, are Maldivians, while the remaining 43 percent are foreign nationals. And 2,080 people – making for 33 percent of total coronavirus cases – are Bangladeshis. The rest of the coronavirus cases include 385 Indians, 65 Sri Lankans, 62 Nepalese, 11 Italians, nine Filipinos and eight Indonesians.

24 coronavirus patients have died from complications.

There are 19 residential islands and cities with active coronavirus cases outside of the greater Male’ region; H. A. Filladhoo, H. A. Ihavandhoo, H. Dh. Naavaidhoo, H. Dh. Kurinbi, N. Miladhoo, B. Kamadhoo, B. Kudarikilu, R. Hulhudhuffaaru, Lh. Naifaru, K. Thulusdhoo, K. Hinmafushi, A. Dh. Maamingili, F. Nilandhoo, V. Keyodhoo, V. Thinadhoo,Th. Madifushi, Th. Vilufushi, Fuvahmulah City and Addu City (Hithadhoo, Feydhoo).

There are also active cases in 12 resorts, which include seven tourists and 13 staff.