Health Protection Agency HPA says 75 individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Maldives on Friday taking the total number of cases past 10000 in the country.

In a tweet, HPA said that the new cases include 53 locals and 22 foreigners. HPA also said that 66 of the 75 new cases were reported from the Greater Male’ Area while 9 others were confirmed from the Islands and resorts.

With Friday’s new cases, the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in the island nation has now reached a staggering 10,014.

Meanwhile, HPA said on Friday that 76 individuals have recovered from the illness yesterday. This takes the total recoveries to 8673.

HPA reported that there are 1300 active cases of COVID-19 across the country with 796 individuals under isolation. HPA confirmed that 82 COVID-19 patients remained admitted for further medical treatment.

The Agency also said that 22 islands across the nation have active cases of COVID-19 and that Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhufushi and Nolhivaram have joined Gaafu Dhaalu Hoadedhoo under monitoring.

HPA confirmed that 26 resorts also have active cases of COVID-19 and that this includes 15 tourists and 30 staff.

The Pandemic has killed 34 individuals here in the Maldives and this includes 28 locals and 6 foreigners.

Although authorities have confirmed a drop in daily positive cases in the past few weeks, Public Health Consultant Dr. Sheena Moosa had said that it is too soon to ease or lift the restrictive measures currently in place to deter the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Speaking at the latest news briefing by the Health Emergency Operations Center, Dr. Sheena urged that even if the restrictive measures are lifted, individuals must keep on practicing the new normal until a vaccine is developed.

The Public Health Consultant also said that the current restrictive measures can only be eased or lifted in two to three weeks’ time and that this two to three weeks’ time is counted as the incubation period.

Dr. Sheena also said that if the country is able to control the spread of the pandemic even further than the rate of the spread would also reduce.

The drop in cases came amid strict restrictive measures taken against the spread of the pandemic. This includes imposing a vehicular ban in the capital Male’ Area from 8 pm to 5 am every night and only implementing a 7-hour curfew in the capital from 10 pm to 5 am every day.