Maldives records 3rd COVID-19 death within 24 hours

An Indian tourist positive for COVID-19 passed away in AA. Rasdhoo on Thursday afternoon, increasing Maldives’ COVID-19 death toll to 77.

Rasdhoo Council vice president Hussain Simau told Sun the tourist passed away at approximately 03:00 pm.

“The tourist was around 60 years old. The death was confirmed by the hospital at 03:45 pm,” he said.

Rasdhoo, which operates multiple guesthouses, was been under monitoring since last Friday, April 30. The island currently has 22 active cases.

Simau said the COVID-19 patients in Rasdhoo include 13 Maldivians, seven Indian tourists, and two Bangladeshis.

The death of the Indian tourist in Rasdhoo marks the third COVID-19 death in Maldives this Thursday. It follows the death of an 83-year-old male patient admitted to Lh. Naifaru Hospital at approximately 12:30 pm, and the death of a 77-year-old female patient admitted to Hulhumale’ Medical Facility.

Maldives has been experiencing a surge in COVID-19 infections in recent weeks – both in the capital and in residential islands outside the capital. 734 new cases were recorded on Wednesday alone – the highest single-day spike the country has recorded to date.

With the surge in infections, Maldives now has 7,109 active cases. 198 of the patients are hospitalized.

The surge in cases has prompted authorities to strengthen restrictions, including a 21:00-04:00 curfew, closure of schools, government offices, public parks and sports arenas, closure of salons, gyms and cinemas, and limiting opening hours of  cafe'/restaurant and shops in the capital.

The travel eases allowed for fully vaccinated individuals have also been suspended, and a ban has been imposed on non-essential domestic travel.