President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced the current restrictive measures in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 would be extended for another week.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference broadcast live from the President's Office on June 8, President Solih noted the preventative measures enforced on May 26 had visibly helped bring down case numbers, but the nation had not yet reached a new normal. He stated the restrictive measures currently in place will be extended for an additional week to ensure that COVID-19 cases continue to abate. He noted the measures and results would be reviewed at the end of this extension to determine whether or not to ease the restrictive measures or extend further.
During the press conference, the president also spoke regarding the inquiry into the death of 10-year-old Fathmath Mishka Ibrahim, who tragically passed away last week from COVID-19. President Solih apprised the media of the conscientious review into the case and stated several systematic faults had been identified. He also apprised them of the changes made to the existing emergency response mechanisms following the inquiry, including a protocol to have 7 ambulances with paramedics on call at all times.
COVID-19 cases have started to decrease in the Maldives within the past one week, after a record surge of cases and deaths during the month of May. There are currently over 17,000 active cases, including 152 patients receiving treatment in hospitals or medical facilities. Maldives has recorded 189 deaths from COVID-19.