Independent coronavirus cases rise with easing of lockdown

Health Protection Agency (HPA) epidemiologist Dr. Ibrahim Afzal, on Wednesday, warned the health authorities have been observing an increase in independent coronavirus cases with no established links with existing clusters.

Speaking at a National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) press briefing on Wednesday night, Dr. Afzal said that of the 26 new cases confirmed that day, 10 had no established links with existing clusters.

He said that while some of the new cases had links with existing clusters and newer smaller clusters, the majority were independent cases.

Dr. Afzal presented graphs on independent cases, some of which have developed into small clusters.

Dr. Afzal said that the rate of independent cases had been at 10 percent at the beginning of the community spread in Male’ City, but that the rate has now risen to 30 percent.

“The increase in independent cases is an indication of an escalation in the community spread. But we need to consider two factors,” he said.

Dr. Afzal said that if both independent cases and daily cases increase, it may be taken as evidence of an escalation in community spread following the increase in movement of people with the easing of the lockdown.  

“But as I said before, a conclusion can’t be drawn based on just one factor. We also need to analyze if numbers overall have risen. Previously, daily infection rates were significantly high. But the rate is significantly low. Therefore, an increase in both these numbers is what we consider an alarming situation. And it is that situation which will warrant us to rethink our position,” he said.

Maldives identified its first coronavirus case on March 7, and declared a state of public health emergency over the pandemic four days later on March 11.

While coronavirus cases had initially been restricted to resorts and safaris, and later quarantine facilities holding inbound travelers, Male’ City identified its first coronavirus case on April 15, prompting a city-wide lockdown and a nationwide ban on nonessential travel.

Maldives has 2,120 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 1,677 patients have recovered and eight have died from complications.

The recovery rate stands at 79.10 percent, and the active cases have dropped to 433.

Maldives began relaxing its lockdown following a drop in daily infections in the end of May.

The country entered the second phase of the easing of restrictions this week. While a curfew has been imposed from 10:00 pm to 05:00 am, the eases have allowed residents of the capital venture of their homes without a permit for the first time in two months.

Restrictions on all islands expect for the capital have been lifted.