Tonga reports its first ever COVID-19 case of the pandemic in traveller from New Zealand
3 years, 2 months ago

Tonga reports its first ever COVID-19 case of the pandemic in traveller from New Zealand

ABC  

The island nation of Tonga has reported its first-ever case of COVID-19 after a traveller from New Zealand tested positive. Key points: The island nation had remained COVID-free until now The case is a traveller from Christchurch who departed before the news came of community cases there New Zealand health officials said the traveller was fully vaccinated and returned a negative test before flying Tonga is among the few remaining nations in the world that have avoided outbreaks of the virus. Tonga's Prime Minister Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa said in a radio address that the traveller was among 215 passengers who had arrived on a flight from the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Wednesday and had been isolating at a quarantine hotel. New Zealand health officials said the traveller to Tonga was fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine and had returned a negative test before leaving for Tonga. Tongan Health Ministry chief executive Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said it was unfortunate the plane had already left Christchurch before the news came of the community cases there, Matangi Tonga reported.

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History of this topic

‘Significant milestone’: New Zealand removes final Covid restrictions
1 year, 4 months ago

‘Significant milestone’: New Zealand removes final Covid restrictions

Hindustan Times  

New Zealand's government will lift all remaining COVID-19 requirements from midnight Tuesday, bringing an end to some of the toughest COVID-19 pandemic rules in the world more than three years after they were put in place. New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announces an end to all Covid-19 restrictions. This, paired with the population’s immunity levels, means Cabinet and I …

Get ready for the TRIPLEDEMIC this winter: RSV, flu and Covid begin to bite
2 years, 2 months ago

Get ready for the TRIPLEDEMIC this winter: RSV, flu and Covid begin to bite

Daily Mail  

Immunity against them in the population has dropped raising infection risk Doctors warn that other viruses are returning 'with a vengeance' in the US This is prompting fears of a 'tripledemic' hitting the health system this winter Data shows that cases of RSV, flu and Covid are now all starting to rise in the US The US could be thrashed …

New Zealand is open for all and we want to restart post-COVID relation with India, says Minister
2 years, 3 months ago

New Zealand is open for all and we want to restart post-COVID relation with India, says Minister

The Hindu  

The economy of New Zealand was on track for post-COVID-19 recovery and had opened up for tourists and visitors from India, said Meka Whaitiri, Minister for Food Safety and Customs of the government of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Speaking to The Hindu in an exclusive interview, Ms. Whaitiri, a leading member of the indigenous Maoris of New Zealand, said that …

New Zealand ends most Covid restrictions as pandemic worry eases
2 years, 3 months ago

New Zealand ends most Covid restrictions as pandemic worry eases

India Today  

New Zealand scrapped mask wearing rules and vaccine mandates on Monday, bringing an end to some of the toughest Covid-19 pandemic rules in the world about two years after they were put in place. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a weekly news conference that it was time to safely turn the page on the country's Covid-19 management and live …

Micronesia’s first COVID-19 outbreak balloons, causing alarm
2 years, 5 months ago

Micronesia’s first COVID-19 outbreak balloons, causing alarm

LA Times  

The sun sets over the runway at the Chuuk Airport in Weno, Federated States of Micronesia. The country’s first COVID-19 outbreak has grown in one week to more than 1,000 cases. Micronesia’s first outbreak of COVID-19 grew in one week to more than 1,000 cases by Tuesday, causing alarm in the Pacific island nation. She said one positive outcome was …

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern tests positive for Covid
2 years, 7 months ago

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern tests positive for Covid

India TV News  

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has tested positive for COVID-19 but said she still plans to travel to the U.S. later this month for a trade trip and to give the commencement speech at Harvard University. Ardern on Saturday posted a photo of her positive test result on Instagram and said she was disappointed to miss several important political …

Samoa detects scores of COVID cases within days of outbreak
2 years, 9 months ago

Samoa detects scores of COVID cases within days of outbreak

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Samoa has reported scores of …

Samoa detects scores of cases daily in its first-ever coronavirus outbreak
2 years, 9 months ago

Samoa detects scores of cases daily in its first-ever coronavirus outbreak

LA Times  

A traditional boat is hauled ashore in Apia, Samoa, in 2015. Samoa has reported scores of new coronavirus cases daily since detecting its first-ever case of community transmission last week. The South Pacific island nation of 200,000 people has been in lockdown since Saturday as it deals with its first outbreak since a worldwide pandemic was declared two years ago. …

Facing its first virus outbreak, Samoa goes into lockdown
2 years, 9 months ago

Facing its first virus outbreak, Samoa goes into lockdown

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Samoa will go into lockdown …

Aid to volcano-hit Tonga brings 1st COVID outbreak, lockdown
2 years, 11 months ago

Aid to volcano-hit Tonga brings 1st COVID outbreak, lockdown

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — For more than two years, the isolation of the Pacific archipelago nation of Tonga helped keep COVID-19 at bay. “Clearly when you’ve got countries that have already got a very stretched, and fragile health system, when you have an emergency or a disaster and then you have the potential introduction of the virus, that’s going to make an …

Aid reaching disaster-hit Tonga brings first virus outbreak
2 years, 11 months ago

Aid reaching disaster-hit Tonga brings first virus outbreak

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. "Clearly when you've got countries …

Covid-free Tonga goes into lockdown after five cases are recorded
2 years, 11 months ago

Covid-free Tonga goes into lockdown after five cases are recorded

Daily Mail  

Tonga is going into lockdown after uncovering five Covid cases thought to be linked to international aid deliveries arriving on the tsunami-devastated islands. Two port workers in the capital Nuku'alofa, where aid shipments are being unloaded, tested positive for the virus late Tuesday before another three cases were discovered among their family members - including two in children. Tonga has …

Tonga records two COVID-19 community cases, Pacific Island nation prepares for two-day lockdown
2 years, 11 months ago

Tonga records two COVID-19 community cases, Pacific Island nation prepares for two-day lockdown

ABC  

Tonga will enter a two-day nationwide lockdown from Wednesday night after recording two asymptomatic community cases of COVID-19. Key points: Tonga had been COVID-free and has not had any community transmission of the virus since the start of the pandemic The lockdown comes as the Pacific Island nation struggles to recover from a volcanic eruption and tsunami last month The …

COVID endangers fragile health systems in Pacific nations: Report
2 years, 11 months ago

COVID endangers fragile health systems in Pacific nations: Report

Al Jazeera  

Palau and Fiji have reported high vaccination rates allowing it to contain the virus but countries like the Solomon Islands are seeing a surge in cases. A record surge in COVID-19 cases is threatening to overwhelm hospitals and fragile health systems in the Pacific, from the Solomon Islands to Palau, according to the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent …

British, Australian ships deliver ‘contactless’ aid to Tonga
2 years, 11 months ago

British, Australian ships deliver ‘contactless’ aid to Tonga

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — British and Australian navy ships arrived in Tonga on Wednesday and attempted to deliver aid without making contact with anybody ashore to avoid spreading the coronavirus in a nation which has never had an outbreak. The danger of spreading the disease was underscored when nearly two dozen sailors aboard the Australian ship HMAS Adelaide were reported infected …

Covid outbreak on Australian aid ship headed to virus-free Tonga
2 years, 11 months ago

Covid outbreak on Australian aid ship headed to virus-free Tonga

Deccan Chronicle  

Almost two dozen crew on board an Australian Navy ship on its way to provide relief to the Pacific island of Tonga have been diagnosed with coronavirus, potentially hampering aid efforts to the Covid-free nation. Dutton said the Australian government was working with Tongan authorities to ensure the aid could still be delivered safely without passing on Covid to anyone …

23 Australians on Ship Delivering Aid to Tonga Have COVID-19
2 years, 11 months ago

23 Australians on Ship Delivering Aid to Tonga Have COVID-19

The Diplomat  

The pandemic is complicating international aid to tsunami-hit Tonga, one of the world’s few COVID-free countries. Nearly two dozen sailors on an Australian military ship going to deliver aid to Tonga have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday, raising fears they could bring COVID-19 to a Pacific nation that has so far managed to avoid any outbreaks. Meanwhile, …

Two thirds of passengers on first flight to Covid-free island test positive
2 years, 11 months ago

Two thirds of passengers on first flight to Covid-free island test positive

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The island of Kiribati had managed to stay Covid-free for the entirety of the pandemic - …

Queensland records 1,158 new COVID-19 cases as Health Minister says day five testing to be scrapped
3 years ago

Queensland records 1,158 new COVID-19 cases as Health Minister says day five testing to be scrapped

ABC  

Queensland has axed the requirement for travellers to get a PCR test on their fifth day in the state, with anyone currently lining up for the test told they can leave. Queensland COVID-19 snapshot In latest reporting period: Deaths: 11 11 New cases: 5,698 Queensland's vaccine rollout: First dose: 93.2 per cent 93.2 per cent Second dose: 92.7 per cent …

Sri Lanka requiring COVID-19 card for entry to public places
3 years ago

Sri Lanka requiring COVID-19 card for entry to public places

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka will require the showing of a COVID-19 vaccination certificate compulsory for entry to public places starting from Jan. 1, in a renewed attempt to prevent another spike in infections. Since Sri Lanka lifted a six-week lockdown on Oct. 1, life has begun returning to normal, with the reopening of cinemas, restaurants and wedding parties. …

COVID-19 'spot fires' to spread quickly through Queensland but hospitals will cope, Chief Health Officer John Gerrard says
3 years ago

COVID-19 'spot fires' to spread quickly through Queensland but hospitals will cope, Chief Health Officer John Gerrard says

ABC  

Queensland's new Chief Health Officer John Gerrard is warning COVID-19 will spread rapidly through the community now the borders have opened, but does not expect hospitals to be overwhelmed. Key points: Dr John Gerrard says authorities will become less concerned about individual cases He says they expect most COVID cases to be mild and managed at home It could be …

Covid-19: New Zealand reports 134 new community cases of Delta variant
3 years, 1 month ago

Covid-19: New Zealand reports 134 new community cases of Delta variant

India TV News  

Highlights New Zealand logged 134 new Delta variant cases of Covid-19 in the community. The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in New Zealand stands at 11,206. New Zealand reported 134 new Delta variant cases of Covid-19 in the community on Tuesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country's current community outbreak to 8,431. The total number …

New Zealand to stay closed to visitors until April 2022
3 years, 1 month ago

New Zealand to stay closed to visitors until April 2022

Al Jazeera  

New Zealanders and residents from most countries will be allowed quarantine-free entry from February 13. New Zealand will keep its borders closed to most international travellers for a further five months, the government said on Wednesday, outlining a cautious easing of border curbs that have been in place since COVID-19 hit in March 2020. Fully vaccinated international travellers will be …

New Zealand reports 162 new community cases of Covid-19 Delta variant
3 years, 2 months ago

New Zealand reports 162 new community cases of Covid-19 Delta variant

India TV News  

New Zealand reported 162 new Delta variant cases of Covid-19 in the community on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country's community outbreak to 3,510. Fifty-three community cases are being treated in hospitals, including three in intensive care units or high dependency units, said a Ministry statement. New Zealand also reported four new cases identified at …

Tonga records first-ever COVID-19 case, Pacific island nation prepares for lockdown
3 years, 2 months ago

Tonga records first-ever COVID-19 case, Pacific island nation prepares for lockdown

ABC  

Residents on Tonga's main island will go into a snap lockdown at midnight after the country recorded its first COVID-19 case since the beginning of the pandemic. Key points: Residents on Tonga's main island will begin a seven-day lockdown from Tuesday, with a daily curfew from 8pm to 6am The move comes after a passenger from New Zealand tested positive …

Tonga faces lockdown after first COVID case is detected
3 years, 2 months ago

Tonga faces lockdown after first COVID case is detected

Al Jazeera  

Prime Minister Pohiva Tuionetoa says South Pacific nation of 106,000 people could be locked down next week if infection spreads. Tongan Prime Minister Pohiva Tuionetoa warned on Saturday that residents on the country’s main island Tongatapu faced a possible lockdown next week after recording its first case of COVID-19. “We should use this time to get ready in case more …

Tonga reports its first-ever COVID-19 case
3 years, 2 months ago

Tonga reports its first-ever COVID-19 case

NPR  

Tonga reports its first-ever COVID-19 case Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Baker/AP Mark Baker/AP WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The island nation of Tonga on Friday reported its first-ever case of COVID-19 after a traveler from New Zealand tested positive. Sponsor Message Tonga's Prime Minister Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa said in a radio address that the traveler was among 215 passengers who …

Tonga reports its first coronavirus case
3 years, 2 months ago

Tonga reports its first coronavirus case

Al Jazeera  

Tonga’s prime minister will announce on Monday whether the island will be placed under a national lockdown. The nation island of Tonga has reported its first coronavirus infection since the beginning of the pandemic after a passenger travelling from New Zealand tested positive. In a radio address on Friday, Tonga’s Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa confirmed that there was one COVID-19 …

New Zealand says foreign nationals must have coronavirus vaccination to enter country from November
3 years, 3 months ago

New Zealand says foreign nationals must have coronavirus vaccination to enter country from November

CNN  

CNN — All foreign nationals entering New Zealand will need to be fully vaccinated from November 1, the government announced Sunday. The announcement came as New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern placed a new region outside Auckland under a five-day lockdown, as the country’s Covid-19 Delta variant outbreak spreads. New Zealand’s flagship airline Air New Zealand also announced Sunday that …

Air New Zealand to require full COVID-19 vaccination for international travellers
3 years, 3 months ago

Air New Zealand to require full COVID-19 vaccination for international travellers

ABC  

Air New Zealand, the country's flag carrier airline, says it will require passengers on its international flights to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in what is one of the world's strictest policies for travellers. Key points: The mandatory vaccination policy will be implemented from February 1 New Zealand plans to reopen its borders early next year Qantas has announced a …

New Zealand tightens travel rules as COVID spreads
3 years, 3 months ago

New Zealand tightens travel rules as COVID spreads

Al Jazeera  

All air travellers who are not New Zealand citizens must be fully vaccinated to enter the country. New Zealand has announced tighter border restrictions as new cases of COVID-19 emerged in areas previously free of the coronavirus. “We are introducing the requirement for air travellers aged 17 and over, who are not New Zealand citizens, to be fully vaccinated to …

NSW records 1,284 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths as home quarantine trial for international travel announced
3 years, 3 months ago

NSW records 1,284 new COVID-19 cases and 12 deaths as home quarantine trial for international travel announced

ABC  

NSW will take "an important step" towards living with COVID-19 by allowing some returning international travellers to quarantine at home on their return to Sydney. Key points: Two people who died in the reporting period were in their 20s The home quarantine trial will begin in the next few weeks The state government hopes it'll help expedite the return of …

Fiji reopening December 1
3 years, 3 months ago

Fiji reopening December 1

CNN  

CNN — Fiji will reopen to fully vaccinated tourists on December 1, 2021, according to an official statement from the country’s national tourism body. “It’s been almost two years since we welcomed international visitors,” Fiji Minister for Tourism, Hon. “We are ecstatic that Fiji will open its borders to international visitors before the end of the year,”Tourism Fiji’s CEO Brent …

New Zealand extends lockdown in virus-hit Auckland
3 years, 3 months ago

New Zealand extends lockdown in virus-hit Auckland

Deccan Chronicle  

WELLINGTON: New Zealand's largest city of Auckland will remain in strict Covid-19 lockdown for at least another week as a Delta variant outbreak "rumbles along", Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday. Ardern said the city's two million residents needed to abide by stay-at-home orders because of the emergence of several "mystery cases" which had not yet been linked to existing …

New Zealand COVID-19 outbreak claims first death in six months
3 years, 4 months ago

New Zealand COVID-19 outbreak claims first death in six months

Deccan Chronicle  

Wellington: New Zealand recorded its first Covid-related death in six months Saturday, but health authorities said there were signs the outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant was coming under control. Authorities said the woman was a household contact of a person who had already tested positive for the virus in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city with a population of …

New Zealand backdated Covid-19 exposure sites show virus circulated for 2 weeks from NSW Australia
3 years, 4 months ago

New Zealand backdated Covid-19 exposure sites show virus circulated for 2 weeks from NSW Australia

Daily Mail  

Auckland's backdated Covid-19 exposure sites worryingly show the virus has been circulating in the country for more than two weeks as the city records 11 new cases. New Zealand's Covid-19 cases have now jumped to 21 with 11 positive cases recorded on Thursday - all located in Auckland There are currently 21 positive cases of Covid-19 including two in hospital, …

New Zealand links first COVID case in months to Australia
3 years, 4 months ago

New Zealand links first COVID case in months to Australia

Al Jazeera  

New Zealand’s first community case of COVID-19 in six months has been confirmed as the Delta variant and linked through genome sequencing to Australia, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has told reporters as the country began a snap lockdown to stamp out the virus. The latest outbreak began with a 58-year-old man in Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city, on Tuesday. Ardern …

Coronavirus Australia: New Zealand plunged into three-day lockdown over one case
3 years, 4 months ago

Coronavirus Australia: New Zealand plunged into three-day lockdown over one case

Daily Mail  

New Zealand has been plunged into a snap lockdown after a single mystery Covid case was found in Auckland, the nation's first locally-acquired case since February. New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has announced the country will go into lockdown from 11.59pm Tuesday New Zealand and Australia have seen very few Covid cases per capita, one of the benefits of pursuing …

A single coronavirus case puts New Zealand into national lockdown
3 years, 4 months ago

A single coronavirus case puts New Zealand into national lockdown

LA Times  

Shoppers line up outside a supermarket in Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday. New Zealand’s government took drastic action Tuesday by putting the entire nation in strict lockdown for at least three days after finding a single case of community spread of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern invoked some of the stirring rhetoric she used early in the pandemic by …

Hawaii reports highest number of new COVID cases in pandemic
3 years, 5 months ago

Hawaii reports highest number of new COVID cases in pandemic

Associated Press  

HONOLULU — Hawaii officials announced 622 new cases of coronavirus Friday, the highest number of confirmed infections since the start of the pandemic. The total included cases from lab reporting delays from the past three days, officials said, but the number is still a significant spike for the state of about 1.4 million people. David Ige said the latest total …

Hospitals in chaos as Fiji battles COVID-19 hell
3 years, 5 months ago

Hospitals in chaos as Fiji battles COVID-19 hell

Al Jazeera  

Pacific island nation’s hospitals are overwhelmed and people are struggling as government hopes vaccination will offer way out. Suva, Fiji – Fiji’s spiralling COVID-19 crisis reached a terrifying new milestone this month, as the World Health Organization reported that the country’s spread of infection was one of the highest in the world. Radio New Zealand reported last week that more …

Fiji's worsening COVID-19 Delta outbreak claims the lives of two pregnant women
3 years, 5 months ago

Fiji's worsening COVID-19 Delta outbreak claims the lives of two pregnant women

ABC  

Two pregnant woman have died from COVID-19 in Fiji as part of a worsening outbreak over the last week. Key points: Fiji has recorded 1,054 new cases in the latest reporting period, up from 784 cases in the previous window Just under 12 per cent of Fiji's population has been fully vaccinated Seventeen personnel from Australia and New Zealand travelled …

WA records one new COVID-19 case as partner of previous case tests positive
3 years, 6 months ago

WA records one new COVID-19 case as partner of previous case tests positive

ABC  

Western Australia has recorded one new local case of COVID-19, with the partner of a previous case testing positive for the virus. Key points: The man who tested positive has been in quarantine since June 28 The man who tested positive has been in quarantine since June 28 Health Minister Roger Cook says he is not a risk to the …

New Zealand to start staggered Covid-19 vaccination from end of July
3 years, 6 months ago

New Zealand to start staggered Covid-19 vaccination from end of July

Op India  

On June 16, Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister, New Zealand, announced that it would take up to the end of the year to vaccinate all eligible citizens against Covid-19 infection. Notably, New Zealand, which has a population of fewer than 50 lakhs, had shut down its borders and used tough lockdown measures to virtually eliminate Covid-19 from its grounds. The New …

Fiji was once first in line for an Aussie travel bubble, now it's battered by COVID. What happened?
3 years, 6 months ago

Fiji was once first in line for an Aussie travel bubble, now it's battered by COVID. What happened?

ABC  

As the Pacific's most mature and developed economy, Fiji has endured a bruising 12 months. The Reserve Bank of Fiji estimates the economy contracted by 19 per cent last year, a number that would presage societal collapse if it were recorded here in Australia. Fiji has now recorded close to 900 cases in this outbreak, with half of those cases …

Parliament closed, quarantine facilities overrun as Delta COVID-19 strain rips through Fiji
3 years, 6 months ago

Parliament closed, quarantine facilities overrun as Delta COVID-19 strain rips through Fiji

ABC  

Fiji's Parliament has been forced to close as COVID-19 cases surge in the Pacific island nation, overwhelming quarantine facilities and prompting calls for a nationwide lockdown. Key points: Fiji went a full year without recording any community cases until April Fiji went a full year without recording any community cases until April Authorities have resisted introducing a national lockdown, over …

New Zealand goes 100 DAYS without coronavirus
3 years, 7 months ago

New Zealand goes 100 DAYS without coronavirus

Daily Mail  

New Zealand has reached a major milestone in its fight against Covid-19 as the nation marks its 100th consecutive day without a case of community transmission. Pictured: Aucklanders get out under level two and support businesses in Newmarket in March as the country enjoyed no new local cases The country is two days away from surpassing its old record of …

Cases linked to Delta strain explode in Fiji, as government struggles to control outbreak
3 years, 7 months ago

Cases linked to Delta strain explode in Fiji, as government struggles to control outbreak

ABC  

Young mother Vaseva Radinivanuakula was shocked when her entire village in Fiji was put under lockdown. Key points: Fiji recorded a daily record of 83 cases on Sunday The outbreak is linked to the highly infectious Delta strain The government is being urged to introduce a lockdown on businesses Authorities said that a funeral held last Thursday in her tiny …

Covid-19 prevention measures are keeping diseases like chickenpox at bay
3 years, 7 months ago

Covid-19 prevention measures are keeping diseases like chickenpox at bay

Live Mint  

The disinfecting and hand-washing that became common during the Covid-19 pandemic have also served as powerful tools against a host of childhood ailments such as chickenpox, stomach viruses and strep throat, recent data suggest. “We’ve seen a dramatic decline in the numbers," said Rana El Feghaly, a pediatrician and director of clinical services at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, …

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