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Maldives may see an Omicron wave at the end of January: HPA

Lamya Abdulla
11 January 2022, MVT 14:42
A health worker taking a sample from a child to test for Covid-19 in the Social Center on January 10, 2022 -- Photo: Fayaz Moosa/ Mihaaru
Lamya Abdulla
11 January 2022, MVT 14:42

Health Protection Agency (HPA) predicts that Maldives may see a surge in cases by the end of January.

Omicron variant has been noted to be more contagious than the previously dominant delta variant.

Iin a press conference held on Tuesday. Dr. Nazla said HPA's projection's show that Covid cases may peak at the end of January or during the beginning of February.

Maldives' daily Covid positivity rate was at its highest last year when the delta variant was spreading. Due to the strict travel restrictions placed then, Covid cases were mostly concentrated in the Greater Male' Area, while the administrative islands showed relatively low case numbers.

Nazla said that as travel restrictions have been loosened and there has been an increase in Covid cases across Maldives, the Covid peak will be reflected in the islands as well. The restrictions were loosened due to high vaccination rate all over the country.

According to Nazla, gene sequencing have shown that Omicron variant is already spreading in Maldives. As of Monday, they have so far recorded 17 Maldivians with the Omicron variant while 19 tourists have been found positive for the variant as well.

"This means there most likely there are more cases. We know that it is highly contagious from countries where Omicron is currently spreading. The rate at which cases double is short as well. Some countries have shown that cases double within two to three days," Nazla said.

HPA noted the importance of the combined efforts of both the government and the public in controlling the next surge. The agency urged public to follow the precautionary measures taken against the virus.

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