COVID-19

Tonga records 287 Covid cases

"The total number of positive cases recorded in Tonga to date is 287. The number of active cases at this time is 133. 57 people have recovered, that means they were tested positive and are now testing negative."

The Minister of Health Saia Piukala said that test samples sent to Australia continue to be identified as the Omicron variant.

The Prime Minister added that over 20,000 Tongans have been tested for Covid-19.

     

High Covid vaccination rates in Tonga

At a press conference today, Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni announced that 91 per cent have received their second dose and 26 per cent have taken their booster shots.

According to PM Sovaleni, only 467 people have not taken their first dose.

He also announced that there are 133 active Covid-19 cases.

One person who was tested positive died on the eleventh day after recovery.

However, the death is not a result of Covid-19.  

A total of 78 people have been discharged and 57 people are recovering in quarantine sites.

 

Chiefs given all clear to leave Super Rugby bubble, other teams set to head home

The Chiefs will be the first to leave on Wednesday after their match against Moana Pasifika this weekend was called off due to the lingering affects of the Covid outbreak in the new team's squad.

Chiefs CEO Michael Collins said it made sense to get their squad home.

"We knew there was always an end date to when they would leave.

"With no game this weekend we thought best to try and get the team home to families to spend some time with them, which they haven't done in the past few weeks."

Official Covid-19 response information not clear says Pacific health provider

The Whānau Ora Manager for Pasifika health service, The Fono, Europa Kupu said that close to 100 families have sought their support.

"It's increasing by the day," she said.

"Most of the referrals are from different clusters and gatherings that's been happening in the past few weeks. With the amount of family and individuals getting tested we're seeing the increase of positive cases."

Kupu adds that more support is needed from the government.

Tonga eases lockdown restrictions

All government offices will open and the rules will also be relaxed for shops and takeaway food services.

But the 6pm to 6am curfew lockdown remains.

Funerals and weddings are allowed and will still have the same number of people able to attend the events, with 10 inside and 20 outside.

Those needing to have their physical exercise can also do so with mask on and social distancing.

Schools will remain closed for next week with radio school programs continuing.

Covid: Hong Kong's hospitals overwhelmed amid spike in cases

The government has admitted it is struggling to contain the fifth wave of infections, fuelled by Omicron. But it has ruled out a city-wide lockdown.

A record 4,285 new cases were reported on Wednesday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the local leaders to take "all necessary measures", in a rare intervention.

The comments may signal tighter controls in China's special administrative region, which pursues a zero Covid policy - but without the strict mass testing and lockdowns seen in mainland China.

Fiji records drop in Covid-19 cases

     The Ministry of Health said there are now 141 active cases and only another 17 new cases were reported until 8am yesterday.

There is also one new Covid-19 death, who is a 91-year-old woman from the Central Division.

The woman died at her home on Thursday and was not vaccinated.

There have been a total of 820 deaths due to Covid-19 in Fiji.

Overall, there have been 63,406 cases of Covid-19 recorded.

The ministry said 91,414 people have received Moderna booster doses, and 60 people have received the Pfizer booster Covid-19 vaccine.

Cook Islands detects first Covid case

Prime Minister Mark Brown said this case was not connected to the visitor who tested positive for Omicron after leaving Rarotonga and arriving back in New Zealand last Monday.

He said this person - who is currently isolated and under observation at their private holiday accommodation - arrived in Rarotonga last Thursday.

They were a close contact of a family member in Auckland who tested positive on Sunday in New Zealand.

Brown said as a precaution this person got tested, and was asymptomatic, but she returned a positive result in just a few hours later.

Solomon Islands govt Covid-19 measures includes reopening casinos

On Saturday the government announced that churches, bars and night-clubs in the Honiara Emergency zone will stay shut, except for casinos.

This comes as Covid-19 rips through Solomon Islands, especially in the capital.

As of late last week there were more than 4,000 cases in the country and at least 50 deaths.

Mr Wale claims the exemption for the casinos is purely political to support businesses with links to the government.

He asks how casinos can be any different from churches in terms of helping spread Covid.

 

Pacific Covid-19 survivors in New Zealand wanted for new study

The study, which is led by Victoria University, will ask nearly 8,700 people over the age of 16, what it was like to live with Covid-19.     

Pacific team leader Tuiloma Lina Samu is making sure people are able to take part in the survey in many Pacific languages. 

“If you are willing to take part, you can go through an interview with our Pacific researchers to fa’amatala, to go deeper into what you experienced when you went through Covid, as well your family members.”