COVID-19 UPDATES 9 October
COVID-19 News Updates 09.10.2020
| Country | CasesConfirmed | Deaths |
| French Polynesia | 2429 (1919 recovered) | 10 |
| Fiji | 32 (28 recovered) | 2 |
| New Caledonia | 27 (27 recovered) | 0 |
| Papua New Guinea | 549 (532 recovered) | 7 |
| Solomon Islands | 1 | 0 |
| Vanuatu | 0 | 0 |
| Cook Islands | 0 | 0 |
| Tonga | 0 | 0 |
| Samoa | 0 | 0 |
| Niue | 0 | 0 |
| Kiribati | 0 | 0 |
| FSM | 0 | 0 |
| Palau | 0 | 0 |
| Tuvalu | 0 | 0 |
| Marshall Islands | 0 | 0 |
| Nauru | 0 | 0 |
Note: The above data is sourced from the official website of the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization. It may update untimely or inconsistency with the relevant data in the article sourced from local news.
https://who.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/345dfdc82b5c4f6a815f1d54a05d18ec
Solomon Islands records first COVID-19 case with repatriation flight suspended
According to news reported by Xinhuanet on 3 October, Solomon Islands recorded its first ever COVID-19 case, who is a male student returning from the Philippines on the repatriation flight.
According to reports by local media SIBC, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced it at a special nationwide address on 3 October afternoon.
"This is disappointing setback to the extraordinary efforts of all officials, personnel, and stake holders that had been actively involved in working to prevent COVID-19 entering Solomon Islands," Sogavare said.
"Despite the unfortunate situation, which our country is now experiencing, I would like to assure the public that the preparedness and responsible measure the government has diligently worked on implementing over the past eight months have been activated and now in full operation," he said.
Solomon Islands planned to use repatriation flight to take back students studying in the Philippines and Indonesia in September and the first repatriation flight flied back to the country on Sept. 29. Those who wanted to board on the plane must undertake three rounds of testing.
Sogavare said the student who was confirmed as the first COVID-19 case was tested negative in all three compulsory tests before boarding the plane.
There were about 144 students on the Philippine repatriation flight. All the arrivals have to undertake post-arrival testing within 48 hours of arrival and the student was picked up during the first test round, said the prime minister.
A further specimen has been collected for confirmation. Two students who were in contact with the infected student were also tested. The three students are all now in the isolation ward of the National Referral Hospital and waiting for further assessment. The contacting tracing has been commenced including informing people in Manila who are in contact with the infected student and precaution measures have been taken, according to local media report.
Risk assessment was also carried out for all the frontline staff that work on the repatriation flight back from the Philippines. Staff who are in contact with the infected student will also be in quarantine and tested, the prime minister said.
"The government is confident of its capacity to respond, contain and manage the situation to ensure the safety and well being of the public are maintained," he said.
The prime minister said that there will be no general lockdown because the government is confident in the system and professionals.
This is the first repatriation flight Solomon Islands conducted from the Philippines before which the Solomon Airlines already conducted 11 repatriation flights from Brisbane of Australia, Vila of Vanuatu, Nadi of Fiji, Auckland of New Zealand, Guangzhou of China and Apia of Samoa.
There are another two repatriation flights planned previously for the Philippines.
Sogavare said due to the current situation the government is suspending and reviewing the rest repatriation flights to ensure it is in full control of the situation.
Xinhua:
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-10/03/c_139416460.htm
SIBC NEWS:
http://www.sibconline.com.sb/solomon-islands-lots-its-covid-19-free-status/
3 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the NCD bringing the total to 549
According to news released by PNG Government on 8 October, 3 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in NCD in the last 24 hours, bringing PNG’s total COVID-19 cases to 549. NCD has the highest number of cases at 329 whilst Western Province has the second highest with 191 cases.
Controller of the National Pandemic Response, David Manning said the recent cases include: a 45-year-old man who resides at Hohola in the Moresby North West electorate who is asymptomatic; a 44-year-old woman who resides at Moresby South electorate who had headache and cough; and a 45-year-old man who resides in Moresby South electorate who had fever and cough during the time of testing.
To date, 13 provinces in the country have confirmed cases: NCD(329); Western Province(191); Central(7); Morobe(5); West New Britain(5); East Sepik(3); East New Britain(2); Milne Bay(2); Southern Highlands(1); Eastern Highlands(1); West Sepik(1); New Ireland(1); Autonomous Bougainville Region(1).
To date, Papua New Guinea had tested 26,417 persons for coronavirus. An additional 195 samples are pending laboratory results. There were 528 persons who have recovered from COVID-19 whilst 10 persons with COVID-19 are being isolated. The country’s death toll from COVID-19 remains at seven.
In the past week:
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7 October: 5 new cases (3 from NCD and 2 West New Britain) bringing the total number to 546.
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5 October: 1 new case from NCD bringing the total number to 541.
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3 October: no new COVID-19 cases reported in the country.
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2 October: 1 new case from NCD bringing the total number to 540.
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1 October: 1 new case from Western Province bringing the total number to 539.
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30 September: 4 new cases (3 from NCD and 1 Western Province) bringing the total number to 538.
Source: PNG Government
7 October: PNG RECORDS FIVE NEW COVID-19 CASES – PNG TOTAL AT 546
5 October: NCD REPORTS ONE NEW COVID-19 CASE – PNG TOTAL AT 541
https://covid19.info.gov.pg/index.php/2020/10/06/ncd-reports-one-new-covid-19-case-png-total-at-541/
3 October: CONTROLLER URGES CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN COVID-19 SURVEY
2 October: NCD RECORDS ONE NEW COVID 19 CASE
https://covid19.info.gov.pg/index.php/2020/10/03/ncd-records-one-new-covid-19-case/
1 October: WESTERN PROVINCE RECORDS ONE NEW COVID 19 CASE
https://covid19.info.gov.pg/index.php/2020/10/01/western-province-records-one-new-covid-19-case/
Manning removes curfew in NCD, other measures remain
According to news released by PNG Government on 5 October, COVID-19 National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning has removed the 12-5am daily curfew in the National Capital District.
This was among a number of changes which became effective as of October 3 when the Controller revoked the previous measures and reissued 12 new measures.
Effective as of October 3, the following changes will apply:
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International flights will now open up for Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and the Solomon Islands. Previously flights came only from Australia and flights from other countries had to be approved by the Controller. Passengers are still required to get approval from the Controller’s office to travel into the country and must do PCR test with negative results to be allowed to come to PNG;
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Passengers from New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, all Australian states except Victoria, New Caledonia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Palau and Niue who have spent seven days in these countries will now be quarantined for seven days at home or at a designated quarantine facility in PNG. Those seeking home quarantine will need the Controller’s approval;
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There are no restrictions on domestic flights and passengers are no longer required to seek prior approvals to travel. However, they are expected to continue to observe COVID-19 measures in safe distancing, wearing of masks, regular hand sanitizing/washing, and are required to fill a National Department of Health form which is to be handed to the Provincial Health Authority upon arrival;
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Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and GeneXpert remain the only two COVID-19 testing equipment;
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The Mandatory wearing of face masks remains in the National Capital District;
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There are no limitations on the number of passengers on taxis and public motor vehicles in the NCD. However, drivers and passengers are required to wear masks at all times that covers their nose, mouth and chin;
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Venues or parts of venues that provide night club activities and services and only serve alcohol without food will remain closed for the duration of the pandemic;
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Licensed premises that sell takeaway alcohol shall not sell alcohol on Saturdays or Sundays;
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Schools, churches and sporting competitions must comply with all COVID-19 protocols as set out including social distancing, wearing of face masks and hand sanitising;
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Ban on gatherings of 50 or more persons is still in force. Sporting activities and churches are exempted but will need to strictly adhere to all COVID-19 protocols;
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No COVID-19 vaccination or unapproved pharmaceutical intervention shall be provided to any person within PNG; and No vaccine testing or trials for COVID-19 shall occur within PNG.
“Whilst I have removed some of the restrictions and relaxed or eased others, I urge everyone not to let their guard down. We must continue to be vigilant and observe all COVID-19 protocols. COVID-19 is here in PNG and will be around at least for the next year or so. The WHO has embarked on securing a vaccine by the end of 2021. But even if a vaccine is found it will be a couple more years before we can even have access to it.” Mr Manning said.
Source: PNG Government
https://covid19.info.gov.pg/index.php/2020/10/06/manning-removes-curfew-in-ncdother-measures-remain/
COVID-19 Situation Update of French Polynesia
According to the newest update from the Ministry of Health on covid-19 as of 7 October, a 10th death linked to COVID-19 was confirmed.
To date, a total of 2,358 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed since July 15. Of these, 1,857 were released from isolation and 491 cases are being followed up (active cases).
Source: French Polynesia Presidence
UPDATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS AS OF OCTOBER 07
https://www.presidence.pf/point-de-situation-sur-le-coronavirus-au-18sept-2-2-2-2-2-2/
UPDATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS AS OF OCTOBER 05
https://www.presidence.pf/point-de-situation-sur-le-coronavirus-au-18sept-2-2-2-2-2/
UPDATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS AS OF OCTOBER 02
https://www.presidence.pf/point-de-situation-sur-le-coronavirus-au-18sept-2-2-2-2/
UPDATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30
https://www.presidence.pf/point-de-situation-sur-le-coronavirus-au-18sept-2-2-2/