Maldives’ COVID-19 death toll rises to 171

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed the death of an additional COVID-19 patient, increasing total fatalities this Wednesday to two.

HPA identified the latest fatality as an 84-year-old Maldivian female admitted to Hulhumale’ Medical Facility.

She passed away at 02:35 pm this Wednesday.

Her death follows the death of Fathimath Mishka, 10, Laajahaage, HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, who died while admitted to Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH)’s Emergency Room at 12:10 am.

Mishka, a student at Imaduddin School, was quarantined at home with her family in Male’ City after contracting COVID-19 when her condition took a sudden for the worse on Tuesday night. Health Ministry has opened a review into her death after the family said they had to wait for over two hours for the ambulance, during which time the young girl began bleeding from her nose and lost consciousness.

She is Maldives’ youngest COVID-19 victim.

The tragedy has sparked demands for Health Minister Ahmed Naseem – who has apologized to the family – to resign.

The death is also under investigation by Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM), which has issued a statement stressing that loss of life due to delay in medical intervention is unacceptable.

Maldives has been experiencing a surge in both infection rate and fatalities in recent weeks.

Last May saw the highest number of COVID-19 fatalities in a single month, with 88 deaths.

Maldives has 65,164 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 768 new cases recorded on Monday. 40,951 patients have since recovered.

The country currently has 24,035 active cases. 208 of the patients are hospitalized.

The surge in cases has prompted health authorities to tighten restrictions, both in the populous Male’ City area and other residential areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases.