Health Minister Ahmed Naseem has ordered that the Maldives' state of public health emergency established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is prolonged until November 1.

The status of public health emergency has been extended several times since the government announced a state of public health emergency over the pandemic on march 12 2020.

The latest extension order comes on the heels of the last order, issued on August 2, which is slated to expire this Wednesday.

A public health emergency can be declared in the Maldives under the Public Health Act if the Director-General of Public Health, on the basis of evidence, determines that it demands exceptional measures to solve or contain it and advises the Health Minister as such.

81,112 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the Maldives.  226 individuals have died from complications, while 79,143 have recovered. As of today, the country has 1,730 active cases 22  patients have been admitted to the hospital.

302,182 people have been fully vaccinated