The main state hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), has suspended routine surgeries.

IGMH said they made the decision to suspend some services and downgrade due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases being recorded in the capital city. The hospital said routine surgeries would be suspended from Saturday onward for a period of two weeks. However, emergency services will be available without interruption, the hospital said.

The Maldives is currently experiencing an alarming surge in COVID-19 infections, with a positivity rate of 34 percent in capital Male.