Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Nauru guests held in quarantine briefed by Government

The purpose of the meeting was to keep guests updated and provide further information about COVID-19 and other developments in the Nauru’s government’s fight to keep Nauru coronavirus free.

Speaking on the removal of two guests presenting with elevated temperatures, Dr Kieren Keke told guests, “I just want to emphasize that we are being overly cautious. There’s many other causes of fever than coronavirus but we’ve acted because we’ve got the ability to move them (suspected cases) to somewhere different.”

IOC respond to Turkish criticism

Just three days of action were possible at the Copper Box Arena before the competition was brought to a premature halt on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Turkish Boxing Federation accused the IOC Boxing Task Force of being irresponsible for allowing the European qualifier to go ahead in the circumstances, with reports saying two of their fighters and a coach have tested positive.

While expressing sympathy for those who have been taken ill, the task force feels there is nothing to suggest they were infected during the competition.

Covid-19: Air New Zealand cuts its Pacific services

From the end of March until the 31st of May the airline will only fly to three countries from Auckland, once a week.

In a statement, Air New Zealand said there will be one return service to Nadi, one return service to Rarotonga, and one return service to Niue.

Routes to Tonga and Samoa have been suspended.

Norfolk Island will have two services a week, one from Brisbane and one from Sydney.

     

Coronavirus: Prince Charles tests positive for COVID-19

Prince Charles has tested positive for coronavirus.

Clarence House confirmed that the 71-year-old heir to the throne was diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease in a statement released this morning.

The royal displayed "mild symptoms" on Sunday and was then tested on Monday, with the results coming through late on Tuesday night, the statement said.

Charles "otherwise remains in good health" and has been self-isolating in Scotland with the Duchess of Cornwall, who has tested negative for coronavirus.

India enters 'total lockdown' after spike in coronavirus cases

The restrictions came into force at midnight local time (18:30 GMT) and will be enforced for 21 days.

"There will be a total ban on venturing out of your homes," Mr Modi said in a televised address.

He appealed for people not to panic - but crowds quickly mobbed stores in the capital, Delhi, and other cities.

Correspondents say it is not clear how - or even if - people will now be allowed out to buy food and other essentials.

Fiji Govt says Lautoka still locked down but not Suva

The country's second biggest city of Lautoka - where the first case was reported - has been in lockdown since 20 March.

However Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said the risk of transmission in the latest Suva case was low and tracing teams were tracking down everyone who was in contact with the patient.

He said the man adhered to all the health advice offered and took the necessary precautions to isolate himself at home upon his arrival from abroad.

Mr Bainimarama took the opportunity to underline the importance of isolation.

Tahiti stops sale of alcohol amid Covid-19 crisis

The ban issued by the economics minister Teva Rohfritsch will be in force until April the 5th and follows a weekend of incidents in which people ignored limits on private and public gatherings.

Earlier, president Edouard Fritch said alcohol consumption had posed enormous problems.

Reports say orders to stay home have been widely ignored, prompting warnings that a curfew might be imposed.

23 people have tested positive to the virus in the territory.

First child in US dies from coronavirus epidemic

Public health officials said the death of the Lancaster, Los Angeles, child is "a devastating reminder that COVID-19 infects people of all ages."

LA County health officials wrote in a press release on Tuesday that the minor was one of three new deaths.

The officials said: "One of the individuals was a youth under the age of 18."

Dr Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County Public Health Director, said: "Each loss we experience in LA County is tragic, and we are sending our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones who've had to endure this tragedy.

COVID-19: Ninth case in New Caledonia confirmed

Few details have been released but a government spokesperson said the last three cases related to either people who had arrived in the territory or had been in contact with people confirmed to have carried the virus.

More than 1000 people have been in isolation in hotels, but some of them have been allowed to leave under strict conditions.

Restrictions on movements have been in force in the French territory since Monday midnight.

Coronavirus: Officials scramble to track down passengers in Fiji

The Ministry of Health has been in contact with other passengers over their whereabouts and health since the flights on 16 and 17 of March, between San Francisco and Nadi, and Nadi and Auckland.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Fiji Airways had published a list of the passengers required to contact the authorities immediately.

Mr Bainimarama called for the public to help track down the passengers.

"Our contained efforts depend on each of these individuals making contact with the Ministry of Health.