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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.

Field hospital to only accommodate very ill patients

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 will only accommodate very sick COVID-19 patients says Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Sogavare confirmed this in his national update on the COVID-19 situation in the country today.

“Only the very sick patients will be taken to the Central Field Hospital,” he said.

Sogavare adds that they are working to establish another two sites to accommodate other positive cases.

“We are working to establish another two sites, one being a former quarantine station that will become available today. Once completed these additional quarantine stations will increase our capacity to accommodate more COVID-19 patients that are asymptomatic and sick, “he said.

He also revealed that is already a widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in the capital city with pockets of infections already present in GIPPOL and Foxwood area.

“We expect pockets of infections to some of our provinces and are stepping up operations in anticipation”.

“Operations going forward, as you have seen daily numbers of COVID-19 are expected to keep increasing for a while as the community transmission gathers momentum,” Sogavare said.

Sogavare: People getting sick from the virus

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS N PODODKOLO

PRIME Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has confirmed that some people that tested positive for the COVID-19 virus are getting sick.

“We are seeing some people getting quite sick with the virus,” Sogavare said.

He adds that there is no adequate space at the Central Field Hospital to cater for all the diagnosed cases of COVID-19 

“We have no option but to adopt the same strategy used by other countries that were faced with the situation of inadequate facilities to look after COVID-19 positive cases,” Sogavare said.

He said due to the very limited facilities, the Oversight Committee has recommended all COVID-19 patients who are not sick, to remain at home and self-Isolate for 14 days.

Additional information will be provided on this aspect soon.

Post lockdown safe practices.

Written by
Press Release
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Members of the public must continue to observe COVID-19 safe practices post lockdown.

Prime Minister Hon. Manasseh Sogavare emphasized the safe post lockdown practices as the current lockdown ends tomorrow, Saturday 22nd January.

  1. Limit movements into town.
    1. Wear face masks when leaving your homes. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR HOME IF YOU ARE NOT WEARING A FACE MASK.
    1. Practice social distancing of at least 2 meters distance from the next person.
    1. Use hand sanitizers or wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
    1. Do not congregate.
    1. Practice social distancing and use face masks when travelling in public transports – maximum of 3 people per taxi and only 2 people per row in public buses.
    1. Use masks when you go into shops and the market.

The 60 hours lockdown which was effective from 6 pm Wednesday 19th January ends tomorrow, Saturday 22nd January.

Solomon Airlines closes office, suspend flights

Written by
Press Release
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Solomon Airlines airbus

SOLOMON Airlines has aligned with the lockdown in Honiara and public health measures announced by the Solomon Islands Government on 19 January 2022, closing the national carrier’s Point Cruz Sales Office and Head Office in Honiara, and undertaking only essential aircraft and system maintenance.

The airline has also canceled all domestic flights until Sunday 23 January 2022.

Solomon Airlines international flights are now also suspended for passenger arrivals and departures to and from Honiara, including the Honiara to Brisbane service on Friday 21 January following direction from the COVID-19 Oversight Committee.  

The airline’s Friday service between Brisbane and Honiara will operate as a cargo-only flight, pending further advice from the Solomon Islands Government and approval to again accept passengers.

Solomon Airlines said the national carrier will consider further suspensions in accordance with any lockdown extension as directed by the Solomon Islands Government.

The airline is attempting to contact all affected passengers. 

Solomon Airline’s Australia Sales Office is remaining open and available for contact during office hours on (+61) 07 38605883 or email [email protected].

“As this change is effective immediately, we are doing our best to contact affected passengers and will provide further updates as soon as possible,” said Brett Gebers Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Airlines.

“Protecting the health and wellbeing of Solomon Islands people, our passengers, crew and staff is our highest priority and we will do our utmost to play our part,” he said.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will ensure the readiness of our aircraft to support any essential movement of cargo and medical resources during this time.

—SOLOMON AIRLINES

Malaita health awaits result of Awka crew tests

Written by
Press Release
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The Mv Awka

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

CHAIRMAN of the Malaita Provincial Emergency Operation Centre for COVID-19, Dr Rex Maukera has clarified that his office will only deploy to conduct contact tracing in the Southern region when tests results on the crew of the MV Awka is known.

Dr Maukera made the statement when correcting an article published by this paper via its face book page on Thursday night about a plan to send a team to Small Malaita and East Are Are.

According to the article, the Malaita provincial health team is planning to send a surveillance team to carryout contact tracing on passengers and those who had made contact with crews of MV Akwa during her recent trip to the region.

In the article, the team was said to be leaving for South-East Are Are this weekend to carry out their investigation.

In response to the article, Maukera said there is no plan yet as they are waiting for the result from the crew of the Akwa before making any plan.

He said the crew are the people of interest and whatever the outcome of their test will determine whether to deploy the team or not.

Maukera said this is their position on the matter as they continue to monitor it.

Government warns against obstruction of front-liners.

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Press Release
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Honiara is the beating heart of the country's economy.

THE government has reported that some people are obstructing front-line workers from carrying out swabbing when conducting COVID-19 tests.

Resisting and obstructing authorized officers carrying out their mandated duties in this time of COVID 19 community transmission is an offense under Regulation 47 of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (“the Regulations”).

The offense carries with it a maximum penalty of $15,000.00 fine or, 5-year imprisonment or both.

 The Attorney-General John Muria (Jnr) issued this warning after receiving reports that a number of identified Honiara residents are obstructing and resisting COVID 19 swabs when approached by front liners.

“The government is aware, some people wanted for COVID 19 test are resisting being swabbed. These people must be warned, the penalty for resisting or obstructing the front-liners carrying out their duties is $15,000.00 fine or, 5-year imprisonment or both,” the Attorney General stated.

The Attorney General stressed, that the duties of the front-liners who are Authorised Officers under the Regulations are necessary to preserve public health, safety, order, and security during this time of COVID 19 community outbreak. Adhering to their directions, requests, or orders are to enable the protection of the people.

The Attorney-General said anyone who resists being swabbed by the health team without any lawful reason will be prosecuted. The front liners are carrying duties in the national interest and any person found resisting and obstructing authorized officers will be dealt with once the community transmission is controlled 

He reminds all that the government will no longer tolerate any more breaches. Such individuals will be charged and prosecuted under the Regulations after the current community transmission is successfully dealt with.    

The Government continues to applaud the outstanding work of our dedicated and committed frontline workers who give their all for their country in ensuring current community transmission is traced, contained and effects are kept at bay, he said.

Try to stress here that they will not be charged now but once everything settles, the relevant authorities will be taking the necessary steps to ensure that those in breach will be prosecuted.

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

Written by
Admin
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Point-Cruz-road-during-the-lockdown-on-30-August-2021-1

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.

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