COVID-19: HPA confirms 156 new cases, 6 more recoveries

Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that 156 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives on Friday, while six recovered from the disease.

According to the agency, the new cases include 134 Maldivians, 20 Bangladeshi citizens, one Indian and one Sri Lankan.

Speaking at the press conference held at the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), HPA's Senior Medical Officer Dr Nazla Rafeeq reiterated the government's enforcement of face masks from August 1, noting that 116 individuals were warned, and that four persons were fined over violations.

In addition to the Greater Male' region, active virus cases are currently present in Kelaa and Ihavandhoo of Haa Alif Atoll, Eydhafushi, Kamadhoo, Hithaadhoo and Seaside Finolhu resort of Baa Atoll, Kurendhoo and Hinnavaru of Lhaviyani Atoll, Maafushi of Kaafu Atoll and Fulidhoo of Vaavu Atoll.

With these developments, Maldives now records total 3,949 confirmed and 1,305 positive cases, along with 2,613 recoveries and 16 deaths.

As one of the most densely populated cities in the world, Maldives' capital Malé recorded a significant number of COVID-19 cases in the first weeks following the first confirmed local transmission on April 15.

Following three months of strict lockdown, the state initiated efforts to steer the country towards a 'new normal' with the phased easing of lockdown restrictions across the Greater Male' Region in July.

COVID-19 cases surged again after the government eased restrictions, reducing the total amount of recovered patients from the peak 86 to 66 percent.

On March 12, WHO classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. To date, the new strain of novel coronavirus has infected over 17.8 million people and claimed over 685,643 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, more than 11.2 million people have recovered.