The number of COVID-19 cases in the Maldives has surpassed 10,000.
According to statistics of Health Protection Agency (HPA), 75 new cases were reported between 1800hrs of September 24 and 1800hrs of September 25, including 53 locals and 22 expatriates. HPA said out of the 75 new cases, 66 cases were detected from Greater Male' Region and 9 were from the atolls and resorts. The latest cases reported in the Maldives has taken the total number of cases to 10,014 including 1,300 active cases, 8,673 recoveries and 34 deaths.
While it has been 202 days since the detection of the first case of COVID-19 in the Maldives, Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) revealed antibody tests will be done from next month onwards to determine the percentage of the population exposed to COVID-19.
Speaking at a press conference, Public Health Expert Dr. Sheena Moosa noted the current control measures imposed in the country has helped to reduce the daily case numbers, although the country is still yet to enter the Green Zone in terms of the spread of the disease. Dr. Sheena said the Green Zone is entered when the percentage of COVID-19 cases which are unlinked to existing clusters drops below 20%. She noted it is not safe to lift or ease the restrictions before entering the Green Zone, adding HEOC will consider easing the restrictions upon the completion of two incubation periods while in the Green Zone.