Seven new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the Maldives on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections recorded in the country to 904.
According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), two locals, three Bangladeshi nationals and two Indian citizens are among those who tested positive for the virus over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of infected Maldivians to 305, and the remaining 599 cases are foreigners. The archipelago recorded one recovery on Tuesday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 32. 13 patients are currently hospitalised and receiving treatment, out of which four are on ventilator support.
Three deaths linked to COVID-19 have been recorded in the Maldives – two locals and a Bangladeshi national. The first COVID-19 related death was an 83-year-old woman; the second was a 33-year-old Bangladeshi man. The third death occurred last Thursday night while the patient was being treated on a ventilator at the government's main hospital IGMH's extension building, Dharumavantha Hospital ICU. The DH11 intensive care unit (ICU) in the hospital has been specially designated for COVID-19 patients.
Health experts have warned that the country could see a surge in the number of positive cases over the next two weeks, and have urged the public to take necessary precautions.
