The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

HEOC: further restrictions will be taken after observing hospitalisation rate

Lamya Abdulla
18 January 2022, MVT 15:24
(FILE) People walk past a notice by Maldives' Covid-19 Response on December 28, 2021: Over 1,400 samples tested positive on Monday, January 17 2022-- Photo: Fayaz Moosa / Mihaaru
Lamya Abdulla
18 January 2022, MVT 15:24

Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) said on Tuesday that additional precautionary measures will be taken to control the spread of Covid-19 after observing hospitalisation rates.

A communication official at the center said that they were closely monitoring the Covid-19 situation. They said that further measures will be taken after examining the hospitalization.

Maldives has been observing a surge in Covid cases since the Omicron variant started to spread. Over 1,400 cases was recorded in a 24 hour period on Monday, which had resulted in Maldives' Covid alert system to adopt Red Alert. There are over 6,000 active cases at the moment as well.

Maldives' Covid numbers peaked around July last year, when the then dominant Delta variant was spreading fast. Cases that required hospitalisations had exceeded over 200 then.

Precautionary measures placed then include tightening business hours as well as closure of government offices and moving to work from home, with an additional curfew as well.

So far, three people have died of Covid-19 this year. Three people had died in the first 18 days of January 2021 as well.

Even though the Omicron variant is highly contagious, the number of hospitalized patients stand at 32. It is yet unclear how many people are in critical condition.

As the number of cases increases, Maldives has tightened travel restrictions, making negative PCR results mandatory in order to travel outside of Male'. Health Protection Agency (HPA) have also banned gatherings with over 50 guests for the moment as well.

MORE ON NEWS