The Maldives recorded 328 new infections on Monday, the highest single-day surge since March 2020 when the archipelago recorded the first cases of the coronavirus, reported Raajhe TV. Total cases of the COVID-19 surpassed the 28,000 marks. 

A total of 3,252 samples were tasted on Monday of which 328 came positive for the infection. Of this, 167 were confirmed from the Greater Malé Region, 127 from residential islands, and 10 from operational resorts. Further, an additional 24 new infections were confirmed in industrial islands.

In the wake of the third wave, authorities in the Maldives have already re-introduced restrictions in the Greater Male region. Earlier, the government has banned Indian tourists from facilities on the country’s inhabited islands. 

Since the global pandemic last year, the archipelago has been successful in containing the spread. And, it helped in the revival of its tourism industry- a sector that generates 70 percent of its revenue. 

The fresh spread, if remains uncontrolled, might pose challenges for the prospect of the Maldives’ economic revival, which largely depends on its tourism industry.  

Public health authorities are stressing the importance of following COVID-19 health and safety measures set to control the transmission of the virus, including social distancing, avoiding public gatherings, maintaining hand hygiene, and effective masking while outdoors.