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All positive cases clinically stable

Written by
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.

No lockdown for Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki town.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA Provincial Health Authority says there will be no lockdown for Auki town and the province, however public movement must be limited.

Chief Health Promotion Officer at Kilu’ufi hospital and Leader of the Provincial Covid-19 Risk Communication team, Kemuel Iro confirmed this to Island Sun following an awareness talk held in Auki on the current situation. 

Iro clarified that at the moment, the provincial health authority through the ministry of health (MHMS) and responsible authorities did not recommend any lockdown for Malaita, except the one for Ongtong Java.

He said the speculation about a lockdown for Auki is a rumor and people must not take heed of since it did not come from rightful authorities. 

However, Iro warned the public of Auki that Malaita province is currently considered high risk following the recent community transmission in Pelau (MOI).

Also, there are suspicions that parts of the province like South and East Are’ Are are at risk.

He said due to the risk; the provincial health through its Covid-19 Emergency Operation Centre had advised the general public of Malaita to be aware of the following measures;

  • Scale down on large social gathering
  • Scale down in number of passengers in public transports
  • Scale down movement within our communities
  • And continue to practice hygiene, hand washing with soap and sanitizer and other covid-19 preventive measures. 

Iro said communities in the province must take heed of these advices, because covid-19 community transmission is now in Pelau in MOI region of Malaita province.

“With that, I would like to reiterate my call to everyone in the five regions of the province to take health precaution measures right now in our communities,” he said.

Iro said the Provincial Risk Communication Team will be visiting communities in the province to reemphasise basic covid-19 measures and to give hope and confidence to people amidst this situation.  

He said the Provincial Covid-19 Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at Kilu’ufi is activated 24/7, and if anyone is feeling ill with suspected symptoms of the virus to call them on 40128.

Oversight Committee to finalize response plan

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Members of the Oversight Committee recently. Photo PETER ZOLEVEKE II

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE oversight Committee will finalize its action plan to respond to the multi-faceted challenge the country is facing now.

According to Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, the plan will be further refined by the OSC tomorrow.

Sogavare said this refined plan will among other things:

  • “Provide a strategy to respond, contain and control the COVID-19 outbreak in Honiara.
  •     Provide a strategy to respond to, contain, and control the COVID-19 outbreak in Ontong Java, and
  •  Provide a strategy to respond to the COVID-19 hotspots in provinces that had been associated with Ontong Java in the past 3 weeks. These include Western province, Choiseul province, Isabel province, Guadalcanal province and Makira Ulawa province, “he said.

Sogavare said the OSC will advise tomorrow on options for managing people who tested positive, including those that are sick and need medical care if the central field hospital is full.

Central field hospital nears capacity as cases rise

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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The Multi purpose hall used as a field hospital.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE Central field hospital is nearing capacity following the increased number of cases recorded in the last 24 hours.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare revealed this in his special national address.

“The central field hospital is already nearly full. It only has a capacity of 56 beds. The total number of positive cases we had in Honiara over the past 3 days is 50”.

“I have been told the numbers of positive cases could be even higher tomorrow. If that is the case, we will not have rooms to put the positive cases into,” Sogavare said.

 He also stressed that 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: Virus could already spread to provinces

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. Photo supplied.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

THE outbreak of the deadly virus in Honiara means it could already be spread to the Provinces.

This was confirmed by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his latest press conference this afternoon.

Sogavare said it is of serious concern that some passengers from the vessel that arrived on 10th January 2022, have already travelled to other provinces including Noro, and to Santa Catalina in Makira Ulawa province.

“These people could already spread the virus to these provinces. Our health team is following the trails of these people to test them while also focussing efforts to contain the outbreak in Honiara and Ontong Java, “he said.

Sogavare also stressed that the captain of the vessel has also disembarked after arrival and attended a funeral somewhere on Guadalcanal. 

48 new cases, more expected

Written by
Admin
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Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

THE Country has recorded 48 new cases of covid-19 from 8am yesterday to 8am this morning.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said this is the largest increase in the number of covid-19 cases recorded so far.

Those affected in the latest surge in numbers include staff and patients at the Emergency department of the National Referral Hospital.

47 of the recorded cases are linked to the MV Awka passenger that was announced yesterday, while health authorities are investigating the source of infection for the 48th case.

Prime Minister Sogavare explained that from the 48 recorded:

  • 28 cases are from a vessel that was exposed to passengers from Ongtong Java on another vessel and were returning to Ongtong Java.
  • 9 cases are family members of the one person from arrived from Ongtong Java on January 10th and was tested positive on Tuesday night.
  • 4 are staff of the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority and Island Enterprise Limited who had come in contact with the crew and a passenger from the vessel that arrived on January 10th.
  • 2 cases are recorded from the Lord Howe Settlement.
  • 1 from the Rove Police headquarters.
  • 9 cases from the Emergency Department of the National Referral Hospital, 3 staff and 6 patients

The Prime Minister also warned that some passengers of the vessel that arrived on January 10th have already travelled to other provinces including Noro and Santa-Catalina in Makira

“The Captain also disembarked after arriving and attended a funeral somewhere on Guadalcanal.

He said the latest cases and movements of passengers and crew of the vessel simply means these people could have already spread the virus.

He stressed the importance of people following covid-19 measures and urged those not vaccinated to do so in the earliest time.

The Prime Minister further warned that the number of infection is bound to increase.

NRH in emergency mode, only accepting, emergency, accidents and referrals.

Written by
Press Release
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The National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara

With the current COVID-19 community transmission in Honiara and ongoing response, the National Referral Hospital (NRH) is only accepting emergency, accidents and referral cases.

For all accidents and emergency cases that needs to be urgently brought to the hospital you can call St John Ambulance on the following numbers, 111, 911 or 7136000 or NRH emergency operation center on phone 21068.

There is also an option of bringing emergency cases to the hospital using private vehicles however this must be communicated first to the police on phone 27893 or 27895, to ensure smooth movement to the hospital.

All non- emergency cases and those not flu related must go to Kukum and Rove clinics in Honiara during this lockdown period for consultation and to receive treatment.

For all flu like illnesses, runny nose, coughing etc. do not move but call National Health Emergency Operation Centre (NHEOC) on toll free line 115 or 25256 so a health team can be dispatched to your location for assessment and further instructions and actions.

All deaths at the hospital are taken directly to the morgue and bodies will remain there until after the lockdown where families can come to collect their loved ones.

Deaths from home can be transported to the hospital however due to the lockdown, you are advised to liaise with the police for smooth movement to the morgue. Due to the morgue’s holding capacity of only 15 bodies, hospital is working on additional storage space.

Under the emergency mode, hospital is also limiting movements in and out of the hospital with gate securities strictly controlling the number of people entering the hospital and flow of caregivers of the sick admitted at the hospital.

NRH kindly advice families who have their loved ones admitted at the hospital to plan and schedule at least only one caregiver to provide care and assistance for the sick admitted at the hospital wards.

Anyone coming to the hospital, you are strongly advised to wear face masks and ensure all other COVID-19 – safe measures are practiced while at the hospital such as frequent hand washing with soap or hand sanitizer, coughing or sneezing into elbows and maintain social distancing of at least 2 meters to another person.

Public are strongly advised to share these information and adhere to the instructions outlined as much as possible to ensure that we continue to respond to the community transmission of COVID-19 and maintain health services as safe as possibly can be.

—MHMS

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