COVID-19

By Thursday, testing confirmed that 23 of 82 people in quarantine in the Marshall Islands "Safe Travels" repatriation programme were positive, while an additional three people in US Army-managed quarantine were also positive.

The Marshall Islands has so far remained Covid-free with no community spread. All of the 26 positive cases remain in government-managed quarantine centres on Kwajalein and Majuro.

Up until recently, the country required anyone coming to the Marshall Islands to quarantine in Honolulu first with multiple Covid tests prior to travelling.

The Ministry of Health said there are nine people admitted in the hospital’s Acute Care Unit.

A total of 942 cases have recovered.

The MOH also said 906 residents in 159 houses have recovered and are out of isolation. With an addition of 28 houses yesterday, the total number of houses on lockdown is now 345 with 3,106 residents.

“89 occupants in the quarantine facility (Budapest).”

Nauru Police Force said the operation has been put in place to  minimise movement of people.

New rules have also been introduced including on-the-spot fines against individuals walking around for non-essential reasons, not wearing a mask, and gatherings of more than three.

Maximum penalties of up to $10,000 will be imposed for non-compliance.

Authorities said there have been many reports of people walking around without masks and leaving home isolation for non-essential reasons.

It follows the arrival of the first quarantine free flight from New Zealand last week.

The government says so far all of the people who have tested positive for the virus were on the flight.

Premier Dalton Tagelagi is a close contact of one of the passengers and is in isolation at home.

Niue remains at Alert Level Yellow as there is no community transmission.

The government asks anyone with Covid-19 symptoms to get tested.

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President Lionel Aingimea says 220 new cases have been recorded in the latest 24-hour period.

He said, so far, just under 10-thousand (9890) tests have been processed.

The first case was discovered two weeks ago, and another two cases were discovered last week, however, the total number of cases over the territory is still unknown.

Local Covid-19 health expert Henri Pierre Mallet told La Premiere that this new variant might mean a return to a similar situation to previous outbreaks.

"It's more contagious, that's why we are having such an increase.

Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue said Nauru informed the council that they were pulling out of the Games the same day the opening ceremony was held.

"Their charter flight was cancelled due to their first-ever COVID-19 outbreak," he said.

Nauru was supposed to send its 35-strong delegation to the 10-day sporting event.

However, during the parade of nations on June 17 at the Oleai Sports Complex, the country was absent as only a flagbearer represented Nauru.

Digicel Nauru CEO, Christopher Manaog, said; “We want our customers to stay connected with their friends and family. So, at this time we want to do all that we can to help. Providing our Digicel family with free calls daily for 100 minutes means that they have one less thing to worry about and focus on their livelihood and reconnecting with loved ones.”

Digicel customers will be able to call their loved ones every day for free till Sunday, July 10th.

Authorities have put in place this rule to combat the rise in Covid-19 cases.

Nauru Police warn that businesses that do not adhere to the laws will be fined or forced to close down.

“The 3 customer per shop and restaurants is STILL IN FORCE! Police will be on the lookout for congregation around shops and restaurants!”

“Only 3 customers are allowed at any 1 time, BREACH this!!!And you may be fined and shop closed. “Mask Up! Sanitize! And maintain social distancing!”

There are more than 2000 active Covid cases in Nauru.

Head coach Ian Foster, assistant coaches John Plumtree and midfielders David Havili and Jack Goodhue are already isolating after contracting the virus.

First-five Richie Mo'unga missed Tuesday's training with a stomach bug, but has tested negative for Covid.

Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has been called in to help the All Blacks prepare for Saturday's test at a sold out Eden Park.

The quartet are isolating and it's understood they won't re-join the team before Saturday's test at a sold out Eden Park.