Health Situation Reports

HIGHLIGHTS

• On 11 April 2021, a deceased person was found on the beach near Port Vila and was later confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 positive. The person had been reported as missing on 11 April from a cargo ship that was temporarily located in Port Vila harbour. The cause of death was not determined.
• Testing of the 12 other crew members confirmed 11 cases of COVID-19 of which 3 reported mild symptoms of COVID-19; 1 person tested negative. The vessel exited Vanuatu on 21 April 2021 with Solomon Islands as the intended destination. The 11 cases and the 1 deceased person constitute 12 cases on an international conveyance and are not added to Vanuatu’s case count.
• Risk assessment (including case investigation and contact tracing) indicated minimal risk of exposure of anyone in Vanuatu to the deceased person and confirmed that all protocols were followed by health personnel. No close contacts were identified in accordance with the Ministry of Health definition. As a precautionary measure, 41 people were tested and 21 were temporarily quarantined. All test results were negative, and all persons were released from precautionary quarantine.
• The two COVID-19 patients detected on 6 March 2021 were discharged from isolation following medical clearance that indicated they are non-infectious.
• There are currently no COVID-19 cases in isolation or quarantine and no evidence of local transmission in Vanuatu. Vanuatu is therefore considered to be in Scenario 1.
• Everyone is urged not to spread rumours or misinformation. Official information and updates are made available by the Ministry of Health on the dedicated website at www.covid19.gov.vu