The Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has stated that 64 percent of those who passed away due to COVID-19 this month had not received a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Maldives has recorded 48,608 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in the first quarter of 2020. The archipelago hit a record one-day COVID-19 toll of 7 on Wednesday as the archipelago struggles amid a raging wave of infections. The country's toll is currently at 112. The Maldives has recorded 39 COVID-19 deaths thus far this month.
Speaking at a press conference held by HEOC, the center's Technical Advisory Group TAG member, Dr. Nazla Musthafa said while a record number of COVID-19 deaths have been recorded this month, 24 percent of those who passed away had completed a single dose of the vaccine. A person is considered to have received the first dose if 14 days have passed since they received the shot. Out of those deceased, only 12 percent of people had completed the two doses of the vaccine. 80 percent of those who succumbed to the illness were elderly people, while 17 percent are below the age of 60.
Dr. Nazla urged the public, especially the elderly to get vaccinated to curb the spread of the virus and decrease the number of fatalities.
Dr Nazla Mustafa, HEOC
