Maldives estimates a drop in COVID-19 case numbers from capital (Greater Male’ area) by the end of September.
As per Dr. Sheena Moosa, consultant epidemiologist at Health Protection Agency, due to the easement of lockdowns, the virus has spread rapidly in the capital and that the case numbers could possibly be reduced by the end of September after a substantial increase.
“Based on the current situation, the estimate is that cases could continue at this trajectory and then it will go down by the end of September,” Dr. Sheena said. “So the situation will remain the same for sometime and the trajectory will start to decline towards September end.”
Highlighting that the health workers in Male’ City area are exhausted, Dr. Sheena said that the bed capacity is also at its peak. She reiterated that this drop in spread of cases will come with the support from the public. People will need to comply with the regulations put in place by the authorities to curb the spread.
“The increase or decrease actually depends on the people. We hope that the public would adhere to the regulations put in place with the lockdown easement,” she said.
As of 6th September, the total number of cases in the country recorded is 8,584, out of which 2613 are active cases. HPA also revealed that there are active cases in 35 inhabited islands and in 22 resorts including 19 tourists and 47 staff.
As a measure to curb the spread in the Male’ Area, authorities have imposed a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am and movement restriction on vehicles from 8pm to 5am.