Health Situation Reports

HIGHLIGHTS

• On 10 November 2020, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was detected during routine day 5 testing of an asymptomatic person in quarantine. The case was isolated and will remain so until cleared for release.
• Risk assessment and contact tracing was initiated immediately. All persons on the same flight as the case were already in quarantine and tested negative. Those at risk of exposure were temporarily quarantined and tested negative. They are now granted immediate release from quarantine in accordance with the decision of NDC Meeting #23. It was concluded that there is no additional risk to the Vanuatu community.
• Intensification of risk communication and community engagement continues.
• Hospital readiness has been enhanced for Vila Central Hospital; over 49 hospital beds have been identified for COVID-19 patients including in a dedicated isolation ward and intensive care unit.
• Extensive training conducted to date is being augmented to ensure good adherence to correct process and procedures, including for surveillance, sample collection, quarantine, and PPE use.
• There was a report of one breach from a quarantine facility in Port Vila; assessments indicate no risk to the public and the individuals involved will be dealt with under the Public Health Act.
• There was a report of a foreign yacht entering Vanuatu and located in North Tanna; Assessments and contact tracing have been conducted and the 3 persons and 7 potential contacts are in quarantine. NDMO have sent a MOH surveillance Rapid Response Team to Tanna to collect samples for the 10 people currently in quarantine and all results have come back negative.
• As per the COVID-19 Health Sector Preparedness and Response Plan, Vanuatu is now in Scenario 2A ie. border case(s) only.
• People are urged not to spread misinformation/rumors. Further information is available at www.covid19.gov.vu