BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
TWO communities in Shortland Islands will be on lockdown as of Thursday 24 (this week) following reports of community transmission.
Chairperson of Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee, Jeffrey Wickham said Toumua village has registered five cases but fearing further transmission, WPDOC also considered Samanego village as the second community to be locked down.
In an interview with Island Sun Gizo, he said the decision was made to stop people’s movement while the Western provincial health team finds ways to reach the communities for swabbing.
Wickham stressed that there is a high possibility that the number of positives has escalated due to lack of tools to carry out testing.
“So, the lockdown will begin this Thursday and ends on Monday next week. However, lifting of this lockdown depends on the situation on the ground. We will extend the lockdown period when it’s needed,” he said.
Wickham said his committee is yet to determine the source of the cases.
He said health officials are working around the clock to pinpoint the source so that further mitigation will be made.
Wickham calls on people of these communities concerned to take extra precaution while follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
