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3 suspects

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Minister for Forestry and Research Dickson Panakitasi Mua.

-Health ministry sends samples overseas for covid-19 testing
-45 under quarantine

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU


THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services says it is awaiting results to samples from three suspects of the Wuhan coronavirus (covid-19) which have been sent to Australia for tests.
Forty-five people, mostly nationals who had just returned from overseas, are also being quarantined.
The first sample was sent on Tuesday this week, with the second and third sent Thursday.
Two of the suspects are locals while the third is a foreigner.
Pauline McNeil, Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services (MHMS), said, “Three suspected samples have been taken to be tested but it may take up to five (5) days before we can receive any results.”
Mrs McNeil meanwhile encourages public that despite Solomon Islands not having any confirmed case of covid-19, each must continue to follow national advice on hygiene measures to protect themselves and those around them.
Minister of Health and Medical Services Dickson Mua confirmed to Island Sun on Thursday that the 45 being quarantined are being held in three facilities across the capital.
According to the minister, those quarantined arrived on different times and had to be held in isolation for 14 days.
“Those housed in the isolation centres were returning nationals who arrived on direct flights to Honiara mostly from Brisbane, Australia.
“It was reveals that GBR (Old RAMSI base) hosts the highest with 23 people, National Hosting Authority (Telekom Recreational Centre) 12 and the centre at Henderson has 10 people isolated there.
“These people exclude those who are home quarantined. They are being closely monitored by members of the SIG COVIC-19 taskforce,” said Mua.
Government had announced that as of Sunday (March 22) all returning passengers must be quarantined for 14 days at the quarantine centres before they are allowed into the community. The biggest quarantine centre, KGVI School, is currently being renovated and upgraded.

GG announces measures to respond to covid-19

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Governor General Sir David Vunagi

By EDDIE OSIFELO
GOVERNOR General Sir David Vunagi has reiterated measures stated by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to respond to the Wuhan coronavirus (covid-19).
Sir David highlighted these measures when he declared the State of Public Emergency in Honiara on Wednesday 25th March for citizens to follow orders of the government in the next seven days.
The following measures are:

  1. Wash your hands regularly with soap or alcohol-based hand rub;
  2. When you cough or sneeze, do it into your flexed elbow or use a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash your hands.
  3. Do not cough/sneeze into your hands;
  4. Clean your house, office or stores. Disinfect surfaces, tables or work desks;
  5. Avoid crowded spaces and practice social distancing of 1.5m apart from the other person;
  6. No handshakes;
  7. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
    The Novel Coronavirus (covid-19) first emerged in China in 2019.
    The spread of the Virus continued into 2020 and on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared covid-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (the PHEIC Declaration).
    The PHEIC Declaration triggered the Solomon Islands Government to introduce Regulations under the Immigration Act 2012 known as the Immigration (Amendment) Regulation 2020 which was intended to restrict entry of persons into Solomon Islands.
    Sir David said the spread of covid-19 was not contained and covid-19 continued to spread to other countries and this resulted in the increase of mortality rates caused by covid-19 worldwide.
    In light of the uncontrolled global spread outlined above, WHO on March 11, 2020 declared covid-19 “a pandemic”.
    Since that declaration, WHO has now confirmed 195 Countries have now contracted the infection including our close neighbours Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. In addition to the above, New Caledonia, French Polynesia (Tahiti) and Guam have also recorded confirmed cases of covid-19.
    Currently, the statistics on covid-19 are 422,566 cases with 18,887 deaths worldwide.
    A Coronavirus Oversight Committee (the OSC) was established by Cabinet and was responsible for the monitoring and providing advice to the Solomon Islands Government.
    The OSC included amongst others, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Health and Medical Services, Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet and Ministry of Commerce, Immigration, Labour and Industries.

Government yet to decide when students overseas return home: Mua

Written by
Chris Hapert Haarabe
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USP Laucala Campus

BY CHRIS HAPERT HA’ARABE


GOVERNMENT is yet to decide when its sponsored students studying overseas will return home, says Minister for Health and Medical Services Dickson Mua.
This revelation by Mr Mua brings to question initial reports that government is planning to repatriate SIG-students in Fiji later this week. The education ministry could not comment on Tuesday 24th March.
Minister Mua told Island Sun on Tuesday 24th March, Government’s uncertainty is due to some factors to consider which include their safety in coming over and the safety of the people living here.
“In terms of property managed quarantine and adequate quarantine facility to cater for more than thousand students and citizen overseas,” the Minister told the paper.
He said government is now monitoring the situation while work progresses 24/7 on the quarantine sites.
“I personally trust current measures Fiji government is taking and USP’s administration as well is trusted,” he said.
In the meantime, he advises that all government-sponsored students overseas, in regional institutions and the Philippines, should adhere to the government’s pre-emptive measures, and take extra precautions while the authorities here monitor and looking at options.

Ban flights: Doctors

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Solomon-airlines-airbus

-Medical association say reality is Solomon Islands is not prepared for a covid-19 outbreak
-Pre-emptive measure of flight ban is crucial

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU


DOCTORS are calling on the national government to immediately ban all incoming flights for an indefinite period.
Solomon Islands is not ready for any virus outbreak, and among the measures available to government, a total ban on incoming flights is one that should be taken seriously.


Speaking with Dr Claude Posala, president of the country’s medical association (SIMA) on Tuesday 24th March, he confirms that Solomon Islands is not ready for any virus outbreak, and that the doctors of this country know firsthand the reality on the ground therefore have resorted to making the call.


SIMA, while reiterating support for the national government’s coid-19 response and the current measures being taken, urge government to consider the ban while we are still do not have any confirmed covid-19 case.


Posala said SIMA sees a total ban on incoming flights as supportive to current quarantine and isolation preparedness plans.


SIMA also recommends that if the ban is enforced, the airbus should be held on standby mode.


Posala explains that grounding the airbus to standby mode for emergency flights only, will save cost in the long term and allow essential items and articles to be flown in and out of Solomon Islands when and as required.


“SIMA sees the current action by government to ban all foreign nationals from entering Solomon Island, except for diplomats and technical Covid-19 expatriates, as a loophole and exposure risk of importing the Covid-19 into Solomon Islands.


“As of March 24, 2020, there is still no confirmed positive case locally but this status can change at any time.


“Solomon Islands does not have laboratory facilities to diagnose Covid-19,” said Posala.


He explains that this puts a lot of pressure on the processes of quarantine and isolation actions.


He said the National Referral Hospital (NRH) does not have an intensive care unit or a high dependency unit which can look after very sick patients. Currently an isolation facility is being constructed at the NRH and mass quarantine facility is being established outside NRH.


Posalal points out that Covid-19 is a viral illness that is not airborne but can be spread by droplets and direct contact with infected persons or infected surfaces/materials.


“There is currently no standard treatment available to cure Covid-19, however preventive measures in regards to aggressive hygiene and social distancing is strongly advised as best preventive measures.


“There is still a lot to learn about Covid-19 and treatment options and management measures are still dynamic.”


The public is therefore advised not to spread false rumours about any suspect of the Covid-19 which has no validated scientific support.

No entry for non-citizens: Government

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Admin
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Office of the Prime Minister

NON-CITIZENS of Solomon Islands will not be permitted to enter the country as of March 22, 2020.

This is according to the latest joint travel advisory issued by the Solomon Islands Government on March 22, 2020.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands citizens and residents who travelled through any country reporting cases of COVID-19 (Wuhan Coronavirus) will be permitted to enter but will undergo mandatory strict quarantine for 14 days.

The Solomon Islands Government is taking every necessary and proactive measure to deal with the potential entry and/or spread of the COVID- 19.

The Government continues to encourage all its citizens to work together with the government and to cooperate with the measures being imposed, for purposes of ensuring public safety by preventing the infection and spread of COVID-19 virus.

The Government will continue to implement necessary measures so that public health and wellbeing is maintained during the response and emergency phases of this both global and national threat.

The Government is also implementing price control measures for basic goods and essential services. All necessary measures and actions necessary to prevent and control the infection and spread of COVID-19 while also maintaining economic and social stability.

Relevant government agencies will continue to keep the public informed on developments and updates on a daily basis to avoid confusion and counter misinformation.

The Government calls on all citizens and residents to stand united and work together for the common good of this nation and its people so we can overcome the threat and prevent spread of COVID-19.

–OPMC PRESS

Opening door to Covid-19

Written by
Alfred Sasako
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Honiara International Airport Terminal.

-Country’s entry checkpoints compromised due to disagreement among Government frontline agencies

-Civil Aviation Ministry and Customs oppose shutdown

By Alfred Sasako

INTERNAL disagreement amongst frontline Government agencies guarding against the entry of the deadly coronavirus is reportedly allowing people returning from overseas to avoid the requisite tests at the Henderson International Airport.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is said to be very concerned given that cases of the deadly disease have been confirmed in neighbouring Pacific Island Countries such as Fiji, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea.

As of Saturday, Fiji and New Caledonia have reported two confirmed cases each while PNG has one confirmed case.

Sources have told Island Sun that while a total shutdown of international flights is under consideration, sections within the government frontline agencies have opposed the idea.

Those opposing a total shutdown are said to be the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Communications and the Customs Division of the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration. No explanation was given for their position.

As a result of the disagreement, some travelers have avoided being subjected to the prescribed checks at the airport. This attitude has raised concerns about the impending threat from the virus.

For example, last week a senior official of one of the commercial banks arrived from Australia and went straight to work. Angry and nervous staff reported this to the Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dickson Mua Pakinitasi, who had confirmed the incident.

It is unclear whether the Ministry has spoken to the man, an Australian national.

Earlier a group of 20 Solomon Islands’ student returning from the Philippines did likewise, prompting the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to order an investigation into their whereabouts.

It is not clear whether the students have been found. It is also unclear whether they have been ordered to undergo a 14-day quarantine imposed by the government.

Imported cases of the coronavirus – that is people who caught the virus by visiting countries with the infection – is now the new threat from this global pandemic. In China where it all began last December, in-country infection has ceased but there were 65 new imported cases were reported last Friday.

Meanwhile foreigners living in Honiara began leaving the country yesterday. Their self evacuation was in response to calls by their governments that non-essential staff should consider returning home.

The largest group of evacuees are said to be from Australia.

Island Sun was unable to check the latest figures on the coronavirus cases in the region because of difficulties with internet connectivity.

Police to deal with man posting lies about COVID-19 on FB

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

ACTING Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau has confirmed that police will deal with people or individuals who spread false information about COVID-19 case on social media.

He said so far police have received one complaint and police are investigating the case, once all evidence is gathered the individual will be called for an interview.

Mangau said only the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are to give out information about the cases of coronavirus and not individuals.

Mr Mangau said spreading false information will cause panic and fear among the public.

Because COVID-19 is a concern to all people as it is a deadly virus that causes death to countries that affected and spreading false information will cause public disturbances, Mr Mangau said.

He said people spreading false information will be charged under section 63 of the penal code and also police will seek further advice from the office of the Director Public Prosecution on such incident.

This is regarding a post on social media where a man posted that the country has positive cases of COVID-19 which is not true.

Therefore, Mr Mangau called on the social media users to stop and refrain from posting something not true.

“If you are not really sure consult the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for proper information”, Mr Mangau adds.

Police also has a working group as part of their preparedness and response towards COVID-19.

Mr Mangau said the working group will be working together with other stakeholders in providing support and assistance and will continue to maintain law and order in the country.

Additional scholarships surpass confirmed Opportunity list

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister of Education and Human Resources Commins Mewa

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THE number of additional scholarships has exceeded the initial number of scholarships approved in the 2020 Opportunity list.

Initially, the National Scholarship Division (NSD) in the Ministry of Education and Human Resources approved 918 scholarships in 2019 for 2020.

However, it has come up with another list of 931 scholarships which brings the total number to 1,849 scholarships for this year.

Minister Commins Mewa told Parliament on Wednesday that the key reasons for additional scholarships are as follow:

  1. There was an increase in constituencies scholarships from 2 initially to 6 to cater for students who were self-sponsored in past 2-3 years
  2. These students were experiencing financial hardships and requested the government that their applications be re-considered so that they can complete their programmes and qualifications
  3. To cater for students who have four or less outstanding units, who formally requested the government for extension of their awards to complete their programmes or qualifications
  4. There were candidates who have high Grade Point Average between 3.7 and 4.0 that applied for 2020 scholarships but were not considered in initial selection process because they applied for field of studies that were not prioritised. Hence not included in the list of 2020 opportunity list, example law. Some of these students were re-considered and offered scholarships

Mewa said all the students were selected based on merit.

He said the analysis of provinces is not confirmed yet but preliminary analysis shows Malaita was awarded the highest scholarships, followed by Western province, Guadalcanal, Makira, Temotu, Choiseul, Isabel, Central Province, Renbel and Honiara.

He said students who were selected under the Opportunity list are based on the labour market demand in the country and pressure from citizens wanting to attain tertiary education.

Mewa said most of the students take up programmes in agriculture, business and commerce, education (teaching), fisheries and maritime, forestry and environment, health, infrastructure, land and planning, tourism and hospitality and vocational skills.

With 1,849 scholarships offered this year plus the total number of continuing students is 2,009, this brings the total number of scholarships for this year is 3,858.

Mewa said in his humble opinion, this is good investment for our human resources.

“Our country needs qualified and skills citizens who participate proactively in this socio economy development of our country,” he said.

From the scholarships offered this year, the qualifications are as follows, Doctorate- 6, Masters -61, Post graduate diplomas – 15, Undergraduate – 1261, Diplomas -320 and Certificates – 186.

The categories are as follows:

  1. The Pre-Service school based form 7, upgraded and others who are self-sponsored themselves is 640
  2. In Service public service is 100
  3. In Service private sector is 64
  4. In Service teachers is 77
  5. Skills development, RTC is 164
  6. Constituencies is 300
  7. Cost shares only 6
  8. Additionally 498

PM urges unemployed people in Honiara to return home

Written by
Barnabas Manebona
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PM Manasseh Sogavare

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

ALL citizens not working who are living in Honiara are encouraged to return or relocate to their provinces immediately as Honiara is the most vulnerable location to Coronavirus (COVID-19) if it gets here.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his national address with regards to COVID-19 yesterday evening said it is important to reduce the population in Honiara during this time and in anticipation of a potential lockdown of the city, should an outbreak occur.

According to Sogavare as of Thursday 20th March, the government will be doing additional measures implemented to protect Solomon Islands from coronavirus.

He said the current measures to protect the entry of the virus will continue, however the time has come for the country to step up response even further to protect the people and country.

“We must sharpen our response as if the coronavirus is already here. To achieve this we need to stand together to fight the coronavirus. We need a bipartisan approach at the political level, our private sector, churches, civil society and communities must be part of our strategy to fight coronavirus,” said Sogavare.

Sogavare during his address said Solomon Islands government aims to achieve three goals.

“First to protect all Solomon Islanders and all people living in Solomon Islands, second to keep the economic engine of the country going, three, to position the country to emerge from this challenge, stronger in uniting.

“In relation to the first goal, we stepped up our response to achieve two basic objectives.  First, to prevent the introduction of the coronavirus into the country and second, to prepare the country to respond effectively and efficiently, and in a coordinated manner if the COVID-19 enters the country,” said Sogavare.

NRH restricts visitors to hospital

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Admin
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Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr John Hue

NATIONAL Referral Hospital (NRH) is implementing special emergency measures to respond to the threat of the new Coronavirus
(COVID–19).
Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr John Hue said all non-urgent clinics and Hospital services are suspended until further notice.

Under the NRH Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) protocol, there is an urgent need to control the movement of visitors, vehicles and parking at NRH, to reduce the risks of spreading COVID-19.

The following control measures were approved by the NRH Executive to address these issues :

  1. NRH Vehicle Pass – Only vehicles with an NRH pass will be allowed into the hospital car park. Ambulances and emergency transport are exempted.
  2. Patients must limit their pick up and drop off time. Strictly no parking.
  3. An NRH Clinic Pass will be given to patients attending specialized clinics, e.g. Emergency department and Outpatient clinic review, Eye Clinics, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Surgical Out Patient Department clinics, Oncology, X-rays, Medical Lab, etc.. Patients will be given NRH Clinic pass by their nurse or doctor so they may access these services at NRH. Patients must keep it for the duration of their clinic visit and return it to their nurse or doctor when finished. Access to these clinical services will be denied without a clinic pass
  4. NRH Ward Pass – Every patient admitted to NRH wards will be allowed only one (1) relative to stay at any one time. The relative must bring the NRH ward pass when returning to the ward. Relatives will not be able to enter the NRH wards without this pass.

“These control measures are being implemented to improve clinical care to to patients,” Dr Hue says. Complete recovery of patients is our priority.

NRH is our one and only hospital that provides tertiary health services in the Country.”

The NRH Executive and the Ministry of Health & Medical Services ask the public to observe and support the new control measures to ensure NRH is safe and a healing place for our Solomon Islanders.

Dr Hue also reminded the public of the need to be practising health hygiene measures when they come to the hospital.

“COVID-19 is spread when someone with the virus coughs, sneezes or breathes, sending infected droplets over others and onto surfaces.

Everyone needs to get into the habit of covering their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, washing your hands often with water and soap, and keeping safe distance from others if you are sick – at least 1 metre away.

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