COVID-19: 12 Cases confirmed, total at 1106

National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has announced that 12 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Maldives, bringing the total figure for the entire country to 1106.

Speaking in tonight’s press conference, NEOC spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez stated that 12 cases of the virus were confirmed since midnight last night. 

Mabrouq added that the current spell of bad weather experienced in the country had hampered the operations of the authorities and increased the number of pending samples to be processed. 

Currently, the country has 1106 active cases. Speaking in the presser, NEOC medical officer Dr. Ibrahim Afzal stated that the results of more tests would be available by tonight. 

The number of recoveries in the country currently stands at 74 with 15 recoveries confirmed by the authorities in tonight's press conference.

So far more than 560 Bangladeshi nationals have tested positive for the virus in the Maldives. More than 300 locals have also tested positive along with 104 Indian nationals. Four deaths have so far been reported from the virus.

The first case of the virus was identified on March 7 in the resort of Kuredu, nearly 72 days ago.

Local transmission of the virus was identified on April 15 in Male' City. Cases have since popped up on the islands of Sh. Narudhoo, Sh. Milandhoo, H.A Uligan, H.A Thakandhoo, K. Thulusdhoo, N. Manadhoo, and most recently K. Hinmafushi.

The majority of the cases accounting for more than 1000 have been tested in the capital Male' City.

The Greater Male’ Region has been under lockdown and full curfew since April 15, when the capital identified its first infection.

Health authorities project a significant surge in virus cases by the end of May.