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Authorities urged to track down passengers

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Passengers on board one the ships that was detained outside Taro Island.

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

COMMUNITIES in South Choiseul, are calling on Taro police and the Health and Medical Authority to track down passengers who returned to their homes after boarding ships that were detained at Taro.

In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, community member, Chris Podokolo said people are concerned that few passengers who boarded one of the ships to Taro returned home after the ships were detained.

“So, what happened was, some people from our community boarded the ship when the ship passed through heading to Taro.

“When the ship was detained, these people arranged a boat and returned home in the evening.

“It is worrying that these people already boarded the vessel and are now mingling with other community members since they came back,” he said.

Podokolo said few leaders have tried their best to explain to the people about the risk associated with the people’s movement but the response was not helpful.

He said the situation is worrying and a quick response from responsible authorities is important.

“We want the police and health authorities to visit us immediately so that we can discuss possible actions that needs to be made.

“At the moment life is the village is normal, only a few people who know the seriousness of COVID-19 adhered to public and health procedures,” Podokolo said.

Gen X-PERT machine at Kilu’ufi not ready

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Kilu'ufi hospital

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Gen X-PERT machine at the Kilu’ufi hospital intended for testing corona virus in the province is not yet ready for use.

Chairman of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital, Director Dr Rex Maukera informed the local media about this on Thursday.

He said at the moment the machine is not yet ready and samples of suspected corona virus tests taken have to be sent to Honiara for verification.

Maukera said “we have a Gen X-PERT machine at Kilu’ufi hospital, but it will not be used yet.”

He said reason for that was the lab that holds the machine doesn’t meet the required standard and they are now working on it.

Maukera said as long as they complete the work, they will kick off testing for corona virus at Kilu’ufi hospital.

The machine was installed last year as part of ministry of health (MHMS) through the provincial health’s preparation for covid-19 in the province.

Vaccination surge in Auki

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki provincial town of Malaita.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

THE Whole of last week has seen a surge in the number of people who had taken their jab at the Central Field Vaccination Centre in Auki.

From Monday to Friday, a total of 250 people received their jabs.

Chairman of the Emergency Operation Centre for Covid-19, Malaita and Director of Malaita provincial health, Dr Rex Maukera confirmed to Island Sun the increasing number of people receiving their jabs.

“Since Monday, the Central Vaccination Field in Auki continues to experience a surge in people going to get their vaccine,” he said.

Maukera said with this the provincial health team is looking at opening a new vaccination site for Auki to support the existing centre.

“We are now working on the site and will open as soon as this week. We have decided to have two sites in Auki so that people can easily access vaccination,” he said.

Dr Maukera said they have resources like vaccines and equipment available, and they will share amongst the centre to speed up vaccination.

According to the EOC chairman, the virus is in the country and everyone is encouraged to take up their vaccine to protect them, their families and everyone from the virus.

He said they are also liaising with the vaccination centres in substations across the province to help people get their vaccines.

Maukera said apart from Auki, vaccination is also going-on at the Atoifi hospital and a vaccination team is on the ground in East Fataleka.

Additional vaccination sites to be set up

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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vaccination sites in Honiara.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

THE health team is working to set up additional vaccination sites in Honiara to cater to the unvaccinated population in Honiara.

Ministry of Health and Medical Services office said in terms of the vaccination program it will resume tomorrow.

“This is to inform you all that the COVID-19 vaccination roll out in Honiara will resume on Monday 24th of January as our teams are working on setting up additional sites. We will inform you of these sites soon,” the Ministry health office said.

It further stressed that those who tested positive with COVID-19, they will be informed with relevant information pertaining to COVID-19 vaccinations.

“Anyone feeling sick, consult our medical team at your nearest clinic for treatment first before getting your vaccination dose. Those with severe flu-like illness or COVID-19 symptoms of coughing, runny nose, fever, shortness of breath stay where you are and call our National Health Emergency Operations Center on phone 115 or 25256”.

It also spelled out that those with mild flu-like symptoms that does not really bother you or affect your normal daily routine must self-isolate at home so they do not pass it on to others in their family.

Fiji students raise concern over partial allowances.

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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USP main campus in Laucala, Fiji.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands students at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus in Fiji have raised concern over the partial payment of their January allowances.

Concerned students who wished anonymity told the Island Sun paper that this partial payment is causing problems for most of the students.

“We only received $300 Fijian earlier this month (January), this is not enough to pay for rents\ and food as most of us are renting homes outside of the campuses.

 “And because we don’t want to be chased away by our landlords and landladies, most of us are forced to borrow money elsewhere to support ourselves, “the concerned students said.

They also said the Permanent Secretary of MERHD Franco Rode on a talk-back show assured them that they would receive their full allowances.

“Nevertheless, while waiting in anticipation, we were startled when we realized there was another partial payment of $400 Fijian transferred to our account,” the students said.

They further stressed that upon receiving this partial payment of $400 Fijian, an email was sent to them (students) by the Education Attaché’ on Thursday 20th January which stated “I must strongly emphasize that there won’t be any allowance soon till late February. I strongly advise students to use the small funds wisely.”

“Indeed, it is frustrating for some of us, especially when trying to clear out our arrears, plus the given situation in Fiji. If this partial payment is premediated plus the plan from the MEHRD for this holiday, it is right and very important to notify students in advance so that we can adjust ourselves in some areas we need,” the frustrated students said.

They requested the Solomon Islands Education Attaché and the Solomon Islands Students Association (SISA) to thoroughly contemplate reality on the ground before communicating information to students.

“With that, we kindly call on the responsible authorities to please stop giving us false hope because we students will cling to promises. We are living in a foreign land without parents and this is not our land to plant crops to sustain our living in trying times like this”.  

“We are living in a foreign land without parents and this is not our land to plant crops to sustain our living in trying times like this, thus when students face financial constraints, we will have no money and will go hungry.

“And if this continues to happen the whole of this semester, it will affect our studies,” the students said.

Communities activate COVID-19 protocols

Written by
Admin
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A check point set up by Belaha community.

A NUMBER of communities within and outside of Honiara have taken initiatives to protect their members from the corona virus.

One such community is Belaha, central Guadalcanal, on the eastern side of Honiara.

A community leader, Israel Sibia posted on Facebook yesterday, they have commenced community lockdown regulations.

“We asked Honiara residents to avoid unnecessary travel into the community, this includes all leisure and holiday trips,” Sibia said.

“In our meeting, we also call on Guadalcanal Province Health authorities to visit the community to:

– Conduct COVID-19 tests

– Conduct vaccination for the eligible and consents

– Distribution of masks, sanitisers and gloves

– Restock Lunga/Belaha clinic with painkillers and other drugs that have ran out.

Sibia said all Belaha community members are urged to:

– Refrain from unnecessary movements in the community

– avoid unnecessary travel to Honiara

– Keep personal hygiene requirements

– Social distance

– Donate food to boys manning check point

Meanwhile, in the townships of Gizo, Western Province, and Tulagi, Central Province, authorities there have banned the public sale of betel nuts. The move is in line with COVID-19 protocol of social distancing and to avoid transmiss

Buzzing Gizo town silent

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo market

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE buzzing Gizo town came into a standstill yesterday following the implementation of COVID-19 measures taken by authorities in the province on Friday.

Only a few shoppers can be seen roaming the town buying groceries from the shops.

On the eastern end of the township, empty tables can be seen at the busy Gizo Market as it was dead silent as the market closed for business yesterday.

The western end of Gizo

While residence stayed indoors, police and volunteers took to the Gizo Main Street advising betel nut vendors to stop selling on public areas.

Later yesterday afternoon, Gizo police confiscated betel nut tables at the area known as Buni and also in other parts of Gizo.

The tables were transported to the Gizo dumpsite and burnt.

A notice at one of the betel nut selling hot spot

Reports reaching Island Sun Gizo states that the exercise was carried out to stop betel vendors from selling their products at the site and at the same time satisfy one the Western Province’s public measures against COVID-19.

30-Year-old arrested for murder on Malaita

Written by
Press Release
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Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Atori police station have arrested a 30-yr-old male suspect for the alleged murder of a 26-year-old man at Busu’one village, Malaita province on Thursday.

Acting Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Malaita Province, Inspector Charles Edward Koto alleged that the suspect walked into the kitchen where the deceased was sitting and cut the deceased’s neck and right hand with a bush knife.

The deceased died instantly after the attack. Both the deceased and the suspect were living in the same village.

 “Condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased for the loss of one of their family member.”

Mr. Koto said the suspect is now in police custody awaiting further dealings and a remand application.


Investigation into the incident continues.”

“Police appeal to those present during the incident to assist with information. This will help investigators bring the person responsible to the incident to face justice,” PPC Koto said.

RSIPF appeals for cooperation with police and health workers.

Written by
Press Release
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Police patrol

The Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) has advised the public in the Emergency Zones from Poha to Alligator Creek Bridge to cooperate with police and health workers during the lockdown period.

Commissioner of Police Mostyn Mangau said it was experienced that some citizens have refused to take swabs during the process of the contact tracing in Honiara.

“I urge the public to respect and support frontline workers in their efforts to contain the situation in Honiara and affected provinces as we are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 community transmission,” Commissioner Mangau remarked.

Commissioner Mangau urged all people in the Honiara emergency zone to consider this seriously.

“Please follow the simple health measures such as hand wash with soap and water regularly, use hand sanitizers, and keep a social distance of about two meters from the other person,” Mr Mangau said.

Mr Mangau also warned all exemption personnel to ensure they only travel to do work and not abuse the exemption to attend to other activities.

“Any person found to abuse the exemption will result in the exemption being canceled.”

“Let us work together and support our Government in the fight against COVID-19 to protect our families, our communities and our Country,” Commissioner Mangau said.

//End//

Malaita health authorities refute Kilu’ufi quarantine article

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Auki town.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

AUTHORITIES in Auki have refuted publication about a Priest undergoing quarantine in his home at Auki after returning from Ongtong Java on the MV Awka.

The story which Island Sun run on Thursday night was relayed to the paper by a senior medical staff at the Kilu’ufi Hospital in Auki.

According to the staff, the parish priest of the Dukwasi Anglican parish arrived in Honiara aboard the boat (Awka), he then travelled to Auki on the Pelican Express. Upon hearing of the COVID-19 transmission news, he contacted authorities and was asked to self-isolate at home.

But the story was refuted by a number of sources, including the Chairman of the Malaita Provincial Emergency Operation Centre for Covid-19 at the Kilu’ufi hospital, Dr Rex Maukera.

“These allegations are not true,” Dr Maukera explained.

Members of the Dukwasi parishioners also refuted the claims, adding that the priest and his family are undergoing quarantine at the Lord Howe settlement in Honiara.

But Dr Maukera said the Emergency Operation Centre is conducting follow-ups on those who boarded the ship from Ontong Java to Honiara and then on to Malaita province.

“The EOC is following-up on those who boarded Akwa to Honiara and came over to Malaita province.

“At the moment we are doing follow-up and will identify people then we will begin contact tracing,” Dr Maukera said.

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