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88 new cases, Lock-down ends tomorrow with stiff measures

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THE Country has recorded 88 new cases of COVID-19 after tests were done on 343 samples in the past 24 hours ending 8 am this morning.

And Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has announced that strict COVID-19 measures will be enforced when the lock-down is lifted in Honiara tomorrow morning.

The Prime Minister said the further rise has seen the country recording 169 total cases, with recent increases meaning the virus has already reached pockets of our communities.

He also pointed out that all of the new cases are linked to the 44 passengers who came on the MV Awka from Ontong Java on January 10th.

“After embarking in Honiara, most of the passengers remained here, but some had traveled to GPPOL, Foxwood, and Aruligo on Guadalcanal, as well as the Western and Makira provinces.

Out of the total positive tests yesterday, some were from the Good Samaritan Hospital at Tetere, Guadalcanal plains.

The Prime Minister, therefore, appealed to the 44 passengers on the Awka to remain at home and contact the Ministry of Health through 155 or 25256 to get to them.

Or people who might come into contact with any of the passengers, to remain at home, self-isolate, and call health authorities for assistance.

Mr Sogavare also appealed to homeowners, who might be sheltering these people to inform the health department if authorities have not paid them a visit.

“The latest figures show the virus is widespread and we are expecting pockets of infection from GPPOL and Fox-wood as well as in some provinces.

“We are stepping up operations in anticipation of this,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said the oversight committee has recommended the following actions to be observed following the lifting of lockdown tomorrow morning.

  1. Limiting people movement, it is important that everyone limits their movement into the city or to crowded areas, remember when you move the virus moves.
  2. The business houses will be consulted to adopt a covid-19 safety approach.
  3. Mode of work is being reviewed, to ensure productivity is retained while safety is enhanced.
  4. School opening will be delayed for a week for further assessment on the situation with further decisions to be done in the next week.
  5. Implementation of the Ontong java engagement plan to contain and control COVID19 in the area.
  6. Implementation of provincial emergency plans to put on place mechanisms to contain and control any spread of the virus to provinces.
  7. Continue to observe COVID-19 safe practices as follows:
  8. Limit movement to town.
  9. Wear face masks when leaving homes.
  10. Do not leave your home if you are not wearing a face mask.
  11.  Practice social distancing of at least 2 meters distance from the next person.
  12. Use hand sanitizers or wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  13. Do not congregate.
  14.  Practice social distancing and use face mask when travelling in public transports, maximum of three people per taxi and only two people per row in a public bus.
  15.  Use masks when go into shops and the market.

Safety of patients at NRH compromised

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SAFETY of patients at the National Referral Hospital was severely compromised when six positive cases were recorded at the Emergency Department.

This was stated by the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his special national address yesterday.

“The safety of patients at the National Referral hospital is already severely compromised with 6 positive cases in the Emergency department. We cannot use the NRH for any COVID-19 cases,” Sogavare said.

He adds that of the 48 cases of COVID-19 recorded yesterday, 9 cases are from the Emergency Department of the National Referral hospital, 3 staff and 6 patients.

“The Emergency Department of the NRH is closed as of Wednesday night following the diagnosis of the 9 positive cases,” Sogavare said.

Police detain ships at Taro

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Taro Island

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THREE passenger ships have been detained at Taro in response to the current community transmission of COVID-19 in the country.

Speaking to Island Sun Gizo last night, a passenger in one of the ships said passengers were confined on the boats awaiting health and medical officials to give decisions and directives.

The passenger said one of the ship travelled from Honiara to Wagina before police intercepted, redirecting it provincial capital Taro.

“From information I gathered, one of the ships came close to MV Awka after it (Awka) returned from the Malaita outer islands.

“I heard that MV Awka was berthing beside one of the ship and passengers from Awka walked across the ship to a Wharf at Point Cruz.

“I think this is one of the reason why the ship was stopped by police,” the passenger said.

The passenger explained that crews of one of the ship were exposed during the time when MV Awka was berthing besides the ship in question.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, Speaker of Choiseul Province, Greg Sokeni said the Choiseul Provincial Disaster Operation Committee (PDOC) is still waiting for advice from Honiara before making the decision.

“There is two possible actions, one is to send the ship back to Honiara with the passengers or allow passengers to leave the ships and go home prior to fulfilling COVID-19 standard procedures.

“At the moment, the ships and passengers are berthing outside Taro,” he said.

Sokeni said Choiseul PDOC has activated its COVID-19 standard procedures with more focus to public and health protocols as well as procedures.

He said awareness programs have kicked off yesterday.

Sokeni said Choiseul Provincial executive will meet today to discussion further actions in response to the current situation.

Central province activates disaster operation committee.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Premier of Central Islands Province, Stanley Manetiva

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Provincial Disaster Operation Committee in Tulagi was activated following the country’s COVID-19 situation.

Premier of Central Islands Province, Stanley Manetiva said the PDOC was activated as of yesterday to help prevent further COVID-19 transmission on Tulagi.

Manetiva said they identified that the risk of COVID-19 entering CIP is very high and so containment is needed in the villages and Tulagi.

“We have agreed to activate CPCs and COVID-19 guidelines and measures on Tulagi, these are:

1.     Silent World- Ships movement to be closely monitored and controlled.

2. PPC to arrange a meeting with Silent World and Avi Avi at the Police Station

3. Shops- distancing, a certain time to access shops by persons from each zone. Shops close at 10 pm

4. OBMs identify only certain spots for berthing are Taporo and market areas only.

5. Betel markets to be closed. Markets close at 6 pm. No more sleeping at the market. 

6. Mock lockdown date to be agreed upon and aware of our residents.

7. No late night movement, house to house or village to village. Curfew, police to monitor by 10 pm. Public notice to our people. Meet the CPCs and the Chairman of each 5 zones.

8. Wash facilities. Wharf, market- Solomon Water, Environmental Health.

9. Office Precaution measures- Notice for practice. Crowding in offices, movement of boats,” he said.

Manetiva said his meeting with the Tulagi PDOC team took place yesterday.

48 new cases sad & unfortunate: Opposition Leader.

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Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale

LEADER of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has described the recent announcement of 48 new COVID-19 cases by the Prime Minister yesterday as ‘sad and unfortunate’.

Mr Wale said this is the highest number of cases recorded in the last 24hrs and it is a serious concern for the country.

“I am equally saddened by the news and I pray and hope our good Lord will help us overcome this,” he said.

The Opposition Leader also urged citizens in the country to remain calm and listen to sound advice from authorities.

Mr Wale said now that the country is faced with the challenge of community transmission in Honiara; it is everyone’s responsibility to look after themselves and their families.

He said the increased number of cases in the last 24hrs will also come with many challenges and one imminent one is the lack of beds at the isolation centre at the Central Field Hospital.

“I understand there are only 56 beds at the central field hospital. An increased number of cases in the coming days will be a major setback and I urge the Government to swiftly address immediately,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said the Government should by now inform the public of their response plans within the next few days so that people are well informed and are prepared.

Mr Wale also supported calls for people to get vaccinated.

“It’s never too late to get vaccinated to help protect yourself, your families and loved ones,” he said.

The Leader of Opposition also acknowledged the hardworking frontliners for their continuous commitment and hard work.

“This will be the real challenge for out frontliners. But we must continue to pray and support them and their families as they continue to serve our people and our country during this time,” he said.

Mr Wale said the government also need to be mindful of the mental and physical health of frontliners.

“Increase in cases means there will be increased workload and fatigue among other challenges must be addressed as well,” he said.

COVID-19 variant yet to be identified

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The roundabout at the Honiara City Council

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services is yet to determine the COVID-19 variant currently in local transmission.

Senior Technical Advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr. Yogesh Choudhri confirmed this to Island Sun last night.

“Regarding the COVID-19 variant, we do not know yet as we have not been able to send specimens to Australia,” Choudhri said.

He said they are planning to send the specimens today.

Meanwhile, between 8am Thursday 20 January 2022 to 8am Yesterday, a total of 48 new cases have been recorded in Honiara.

This has increased the total number of cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in the country to 81- which represents an increase of 61 cases in the past month.

All positive cases clinically stable

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Mavis Podokolo
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Technical advisor to Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Dr Yogesh Choudri

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

A Senior health expert within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has confirmed that all the positive cases picked out from Honiara are clinically stable , as no one is seriously ill.

This was confirmed by Dr. Yogesh Choudhri, senior technical advisor, Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

“As of now no one is seriously sick and everyone is stable,” Choudhri said.

He further mentioned that they are yet to identify the COVID-19 variant that is currently spreading in the country.

The country yesterday recorded 48 new cases of COVID-19 as cases are expected to rise in the coming days.

Those that have contracted the virus are being kept at the Central Field Hospital which is nearing capacity. The Emergency Department of the National Referral Hospital was shut down on Wednesday night after three staff and six patients tested positive.

Noro person of interest tests negative

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE first test result of COVID-19 on a person of interest at Noro came back negative last night.

Reports reaching Island Sun Gizo states that tests were made on five (5) specimens collected from Noro, all came back negative.

The report states that the specimens were collected from the person of interest and the household with whom he came into contact.

It states that the patient is currently undergoing home quarantine.

In Gizo, the western Provincial Executive has endorsed the public Health and Social Measures in an effort to stop the virus from further transmission.

Premier of Western Province, Christian Mesepitu says today that his executive has resolved the following measures to be respected and followed.

1. International borders to remain close.

2. No ships and planes to enter Western Province until further notice.

3. Community COVID-19 task force and community and communities to activate community awareness.

4. No social gatherings such as sports or other activities.

5. Activate and enforce hand washing practices.

6. Wearing a mask is compulsory in workplaces, shops, banks and public places.

7. Social distancing in workplaces, shops, banks, and public places.

8. Churches to remain open but limit the numbers of people according to social distance rules and regulations.

9. Limit inter-island travels unless travel is of essential reasons such as hospital run as well as transporting foods.

10. People must stay at home when necessary.

11. Night clubs, card games, and other activities that attract mass gatherings to close immediately.

12. Betel nut markets on street to stop immediately.

13. Gizo Market to open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but make sure vendors apply social distancing vendors to wear masks.

14. Limit the number of passengers on boats transporting foods and essential items to urban centers.

He stressed that the measures are effective as of today until further notice.

On that note, Mesepitu calls on the people of Western Province to adhere to precaution measures and advice given out by responsible authorities.

“Our country and province is at high risk of COVID-19 further transmission as such we must follow the rules and regulations to stop this virus from further transmission.

“Your cooperation is paramount as together we can stop this virus,” he says.

Western province monitors Covid situation

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Western Premier Christian Mesepitu

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Government is closely monitoring the current COVID-19 community transmission and will take further action if the situation changes.

Premier of Western Province, Christian Mesepitu says his executive is currently activating level three standard procedures while monitoring the situation.

“My government will tighten its Health and Public Measures should there be changes on the situation.

“We will work closely with the Provincial Disaster Operation Committee in the effort to stop this virus from further transmission,” he says.

Mesepitu says Western Provincial Government on lockdown if necessary in the days to come.

In the meantime, he says the limited health and medical facilities as well as resources are worrying as such precaution is the best approach that would save lives.

He adds that health system will crumble and that it is important for people to follow instructions with absolute responsibility.

“To my good people of Western Province, please observe safety protocols. Take precaution at all times and respect rules and regulations.

“This is the only way we can contain this virus from further transmission,” Mesepitu says.

He urges people from Western Province to wear mask, carry hand sanitizer and maintain social distancing at all times.

Contact tracing team to leave for South Malaita, East Are’are following contact with MV Awka

Written by
Samie Waikori
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The Mv Awka

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

A team from the Malaita Provincial Health department will be sent to the southern region of the province to carry out contact tracing on those who came into contact with crews from the MV Awka during her recent trip to Small Malaita and East Are’are constituencies.

Leader of the Provincial Covid-19 Risk Communication team, confirmed this to Island Sun.

“We are planning to deploy a team to East Are Are and Small Malaita, especially ports that the vessel came shore to and where people mingled with the crews of the ship.

“Our team will carry out contact tracing on those suspected of contacting the crews and possibly facilitate swabs for testing,” he said.

Iro said the deployment of the team is also to give people confidence amidst the situation, should there be fear or panic on what had happened.

He said the team plans to leave to Small Malaita and East Are Are constituencies tomorrow.

On that note, Iro also called on the Malaita public to continue to listen out for advice and work together with provincial health authorities during this situation.

“As of now no positive cases are yet recorded for the mainland Malaita and those, especially in South and East, Are Are must not panic.   

“Our advice to everyone is to stay confident and listen to health authorities for further information on the current situation faced in the country,” he said.

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