The increasing Covid-19 cases can overwhelm hospital capacity – HPA

Dharumavanatha Hospital | Photo: PSM

Malé, Maldives – The escalating number of positive cases daily, can overwhelm hospital capacities if not controlled says the Maldives Health Protection Agency (HPA).

The daily positive cases since the beginning of 2021 has been above 50, with over a 100 positive cases recorded this week. HPA cautioned the public stating that these escalating numbers may result in overcrowding in the health care facilities and patients not receiving adequate care.

While 122 new cases were recorded yesterday, 152 Covid-19 patients are being treated in the hospitals.

Earlier this week, the Medical Director of IGM Hospital, Dr. Yoosuf Shan has revealed that the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Dharumavantha Hospital, where currently Covid-19 patients are being admitted, has been filled to half capacity.

Capacity is filling up and we need to decrease the number of patients the need to decrease patients who require hospitalized care is ever more important.

Dr. Yoosuf Shan, Medical Director, IGMH

The capital city Malé, where majority of the recent cases are discovered, is currently under curfew from 12AM to 4AM, and large gatherings are prohibited.