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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.

Written by
Press Release
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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

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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0
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.

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