Covid-19 tests

Fiji tests cases from African nations

Health Secretary Dr James Fong confirmed the cases of interest were Fijian nationals returning from Africa.

"In Fiji, we currently have Covid-positive travellers in quarantine who arrived in the country from African states before we knew about Omicron.

"They have been quarantined in line with the stringent measures we apply to countries we consider a red zone for ongoing viral spread. Their specimens will be forwarded this week overseas for genetic sequencing."

Aucklanders in seven suburbs told to get a test even without symptoms

Mt Eden, Massey, Māngere, Favona, Ōtara, Papatoetoe and Manurewa are under increased scrutiny by health officials because of their links to mystery cases or clusters that may have unexpected cases.

Counties Manukau District Health Board chief executive Margie Apa said it was most important they get tested if they had symptoms – but they also wanted people without symptoms to come forward.

After 3,000 covid tests, 11 more cases discovered

In a statement released late Wednesday night, Health Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong said the first six were related to the Vunimono/Nadali cluster and were in home isolation.

The other five are household contacts of a previous case who had been quarantined at a facility in Nausori and had tested negative when they were first admitted to the facility.

Covid-19: New test rule for UK arrivals from Friday

People arriving by plane, train or boat, including UK nationals, will have to take a test up to 72 hours before leaving the country they are in.

All those arriving from places not on the government's travel corridor list must still self-isolate for 10 days.

There are issues with testing availability and capacity, so some countries will initially be exempt.

For instance, the requirement will not apply to travellers from St Lucia, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda for six days.

Athletes to be tested 'every 96-120 hours' during Olympics

During talks between the Tokyo 2020 organising committee, the Japanese government and Tokyo Metropolitan Government, further guidelines for how the Japanese capital plans to host the rearranged Games next year were discussed.

Current visitors to Japan need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival but athletes and other key stakeholders arriving for the Games will be exempt from those restrictions.

More than 15,000 athletes are expected in Tokyo for the Olympics, which begin on July 23, with the majority staying at the purpose-built Athletes' Village.

Fiji look to salvage rugby tour from Covid ruins

Over the weekend it was announced the Flying Fijians would have their third consecutive test match cancelled due to a coronavirus outbreak in the squad.

The team's match game against Scotland, originally set for 29 November, has gone the way of two other matches.

Fiji's clash with Italy was supposed to be played on Saturday gone, but was called off after 29 members tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

A test against France was cancelled the week before as it became evident the virus was present among the touring party.

COVID-19 tests for travelers repatriated from Fiji to Nauru

President Lionel Aingimea advised in this week's situational update that 169 people are currently in quarantine, including five at the Remand Centre.

The staff of service provider Canstruct, have opted to maintain Australia's recommended two weeks quarantine which is due to end this Friday.

However, they will still undergo lab testing on island.

In other air and sea movements, another passenger flight is due from Brisbane this Friday 12 June, and the normal freighter services will resume for Fridays and Saturdays.

Nauru authorities to conduct COVID-19 tests on 52 new arrivals on Wednesday

In his weekly briefing Monday, President Lionel Aingimea said the tests will be carried out on Wednesday.

The travelers are currently accommodated at the Meneñ Hotel and Canstruct's Anibare Village.

President Aingimea said the science on COVID-19 is evolving and while there are many expert advice, the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests 5.2 days for the virus to load up in the body and show symptoms. Lab testing is specific to detect viral loading and presence in the body.

France to increase Covid-19 testing to 700,000 a week in lockdown exit strategy

The government had set itself a goal of carrying out at least 700,000 tests per week, he said. Once a person tests positive, tracing would begin to identify, test and isolate all those who had been in close contact with the individual.

"When we end the lockdown, we will have the capacity to massively scale up testing," Philippe said in an address to parliament.

He said the lockdown had saved tens of thousands of lives but that the time had come to ease the unprecedented peacetime restrictions and rescue an economy in free-fall.