Authorities to tighten measures as 3rd wave of COVID-19 hits Maldives

Maldivian health authorities are working on tightening disease control measures amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, especially in the populous capital.

The surge in COVID-19 infections has seen 641 people test positive over the last one-week period from the greater Male’ region alone.

In response to questions by Sun regarding the recent surge in cases, Head of Communicable Diseases and Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) spokesperson Dr. Nazla Rafeeq said it is imperative that the rate of infection is controlled, especially as Maldives has now begun mass vaccination against the disease.

Nazla warned that the surge in infections has resulted in a sharp increase in the hospitalization rate, which could soon overwhelm the health system.

“It will take time for a large percentage of the people to be inoculated and herd immunity achieved. It is therefore imperative that the infection rate is controlled during this period,” she said.

Nazla said the health authorities are discussing additional measures that can be taken to control the infection rate, and will inform the public regarding the measures soon.

The surge in cases has given rise to calls to shut down schools and close Maldives’ borders once more.

Nazla said that authorities had opted against closing down the border when the infection rate had spiked back in August when Maldives had been hit with the second wave of COVID-19, and had instead brought down the numbers by implemented less intrusive measures.

Nazla said the authorities plan on taking similar measures this time around as well.

The second wave had prompted a ban on vehicular traffic, in addition to the curfew and other measures which had already been in effect. The measures proved effective in bringing down the numbers.

“But we haven’t completely ruled out a lockdown. If the new measures fail to produce a positive outcome, we will take stricter measures. We will take necessary measures when the time comes” she said.

Maldives reinstated a 00:00-04:00 curfew in the capital and banned parties and events after the daily infection rate soared above 100 cases in January.Maldives has 16,056 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 215 new cases identified on Monday. 159 of the new cases were from Male’ region.

184 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized.