COVID-19

Covid on the rise in French Polynesia

The health authorities say 66 infections were recorded in the past week, mainly among older people in Tahiti.

They say almost all infections are the latest variant of the virus, which is spreading around the globe.

However, to date no serious cases have been reported and no hospitalisation has been needed reports RNZ Pacific.

People are encouraged to get vaccinated, especially if they are at risk of complications.

 

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Nauru extends Covid National Emergency declaration

The extension is effective from 30 March 2022.

The declaration was first made on 16 March 2020 when the global pandemic was announced.

Nauru reported its first Covid-19 case on 2 April 2022.

 

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11,171 new cases, 24 further deaths and 200 in hospital in New Zealand

Of the new cases, 4630 are reinfections reports RNZ.

The ministry reported 24 deaths over the past week.

The ministry said 26 deaths were attributable to Covid-19. It said the change in total deaths with Covid-19 may not be equal to the number of new deaths reported today.

"This is because deaths that occurred more than 28 days after a positive test that are subsequently determined to be unrelated to Covid are removed from the total."

Fiji revokes “No Jab No Job Regulation”

The regulation is effective from the date of gazettal.

“Cabinet on 14 February 2023 endorsed that the Health and Safety at Work (General Workplace Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (2021 Amendment Regulations) in relation to the “No Jab, No Job” regulations be revoked. Such revocation will be effective from the date the same is published in the Gazette.”

The Attorney-General Siromi Turaga highlighted this will mean those who lost their jobs when the policy came in can apply for jobs again.

Hong Kong ends mask mandate after 945 days

The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, the city's leader John Lee said.

BBC reports under the mandate, which began in July 2020 and lasted for 945 days, people could be fined up to HK$5,000 (£530; $640).

"With the removal of the mandate, Hong Kong will return to normalcy," Mr Lee said on Tuesday.

"In this year and the coming year, we will go all out for the economy and development at full speed."

Before Wednesday, people living in Hong Kong had to wear a mask in any public area.

Nauru Government issues travel restriction order

An order issued by the Acting Minister of National Emergency Services, Richard-Hyde Menke said only fully vaccinated travelers are allowed into the country.

It states that a traveller to Nauru by an aircraft shall produce proof of being fully vaccinated against Coronavirus (Covid-19) to the airline before commencing travel to Nauru unless the traveller is exempted from vaccination under Regulations 6 and 6A of the National Disaster Risk Management (Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Vaccination)) Regulations 2021;

Nauru braces for second Covid wave

The Government Information Office said the infections are due to the increase in the number of locally acquired cases reported over the last 4 weeks with further case numbers expected to increase.

The country has recorded a total of 200 active cases on island of which 154 newly acquired infections were identified during this reporting period; all but 2 cases were locally acquired. 

This brings the total number of Covid cases to 5121 of which 444 infections were reported since 1 January 2023.

Niue says it has stamped out Covid-19 in the community

Community transmission was first announced in November last year.

RNZ Pacific reports there was a peak in December with the number of positive cases reaching 390 out of a population of about 1400.

Since then, January saw 210 positive cases, which gradually decreased as people recovered and very few new cases were detected or reported to the Health Department.

Minister for Health Sauni Tongatule said he was very pleased that there are now no active cases.

Nauru records over 4,000 Covid-19 cases in a period of 3 years

President Russ Kun confirmed that in this period there was only one death reported.

“As of 10 July 2020, a total of 24,143 vaccine doses have been administered.”

Kun thanked all the front liners for their dedication and efforts.

“Moreover, I thank all our development partners for their continued assistance and support,” he said.

     

Nauru Government clarifies ovid-19 rules

Confirmed cases and their close contacts must isolate and cannot leave their home without approval from the Covid-19 health taskforce.

No one can visit people who are isolated.

Random checks will be conducted by the taskforce, and anyone in breach of the rules could be fined $US3,500.