Almost 60 percent of beds in hospitals are occupied in the Greater Male region, the most densely populated area in the Maldives, and the daily case count of the coronavirus has already crossed 500, reported Raajje TV.

The country’s President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced that discussions are underway to strengthen COVID-19 measures to slow the spread of the virus in the country. 

"Discussions are underway today to enhance the measures in order to control the virus," he said in a tweet. Solih also expressed concern over the rising numbers of the COVID-19 cases. 

The Health Protection Agency- the body responsible for managing the COVID-19 crisis- has already announced certain measures, including a ban on the movement of people from one island to other. 
However, travel to the Greater Male region, was exempted from the ban. 

A total of 30,745 cases have been confirmed in the Maldives so far with 172 people hospitalized for the virus currently. Active cases are currently calculated at 5,594. 

The country, scattered in islands, doesn’t have equal access to health facilities in all of its inhabited islands. Also being a tourism-dependent economy, banning flights won’t be easy. Last month, the country banned Indians from staying at tourism facilities in inhabited islands.