Health Protection Agency HPA Epidemiologist Dr. Afzal Ibrahim says authorities in the Maldives have now confirmed 74 cases of the new COVID variant Omicron in the country.
Speaking at the press conference held by the Health Ministry today, Dr. Afzal said that the new variant had been found from 74 individuals from the Maldives and that out of the 100 samples tested on the 11th of this month, the Omicron variant was found in 51 samples.
He also confirmed that the new variant had been found on 11 islands in the country and that the islands include Male', Kaafu Maafushi, Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo, Addu City, Laamu Gan, Laamu Mundoo, Laamu Isdhoo, Haa Dhaalu Vaikaradhoo, Haa Dhaalu Nolhivaramfaru, Faafu Magoodhoo, and Kaafu Thulusdhoo.
Dr. Afzal also said that the recent spike in COVID cases is a testament to the fact that the variant is widespread.
Health Protection Agency HPA has confirmed more than 9,900 new cases in the country in the last 5 days.
The new cases take the total number of cases reported since March 2020 to a staggering 114,977.
HPA said currently there are 13,035 active cases of the pandemic and that 48 people remained hospitalized for further treatment.
The Agency had also said that 101,660 people have recovered from the illness in the Maldives.
The COVID-19 global pandemic has killed 270 individuals in the Maldives with the latest death coming earlier today from the Hulhumale Medical Facility. HPA had said that a 42-year-old local woman under treatment at the ICU of the facility had passed away due to the illness.
