Surveillance is the ongoing, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related data. Data is used to inform, and evaluate, public health measures for control of COVID-19 in Vanuatu. Surveillance for COVID-19 in Vanuatu incorporates a range of data sources, including traveller surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing, syndromic and sentinel surveillance, targeted active case finding, laboratory surveillance, hospital surveillance, and vaccination surveillance.
Surveillance Update 22 June 2022
Highlights for Epi Week 23 of 2022
- A total of 10,986 individuals with COVID-19 were detected in Vanuatu until the end of EpiWeek 24
2022 (363 during EpiWeek 24)
- A total of six provinces, including 32 islands, were affected by the end of EpiWeek 24.
- The number of cases reported decreased nationally in EpiWeek 24 by 25%; cases increased in Shefa
(+73%) and decreased in Torba (-53%), Sanma (-66%), Penama (-36), Tafea (-13%) and no changes
of reported cases in Malampa Province.
- Case numbers, testing and test positivity differ by island within provinces
- Torba: Nine islands (Gaua, Hiu, Loh, Mere Lava, Mota, Moto Lava, Tegua, Toga and Vanua
Lava) reported cases by the end of EpiWeek 24; Mere Lava reported cases for the first time in
EpiWeek 23. The reported number of cases decreased in Torba from EpiWeek 23 to
EpiWeek 24. Testing and positivity decreased during the same time period.
- Sanma: Cases have been reported on Santo, Aore and Malo islands. At a provincial level,
testing, positivity and cases numbers decreased in EpiWeek 24.
- Malampa: Ambrym and Malekula have reported cases; Ambrym reported cases for the first
time in EpiWeek 23. The number of cases reported are lower than expected in a situation of
community transmission and increased testing is recommended. Tests have not been
reported from Paama island and therefore cases have not been detected.
- Penama : All three islands (Maewo, Ambae and Pentecost) have reported cases. At a
provincial level, testing has increased , but positivity and cases decreased in EpiWeek 24.
- Shefa: As of EpiWeek 24, cases have been reported on Efate, Emae, Epi, Ifira, Lamen,
Lelepa, Moso, Nguna, Pele, Tongariki and Tongoa islands. Cases Increased in Shefa in
EpiWeek 24 by 73% but testing and positivity decreased.
- Tafea: As of EpiWeek 24, cases have been reported on Aneityum, Aniwa, Erromango and
Tanna. The number of reported tests increased in Epiweek 24, but positivity and cases
continued to decrease.
- Until the end of EpiWeek 24:
- Cases that were not fully vaccinated were at least twice more likely to be hospitalised
compared to fully vaccinated cases
- Cases that were not fully vaccinated were nearly three times as likely to have critical
COVID-19 infection compared to fully vaccinated cases
- Cases that were not fully vaccinated were nearly twice more likely to die from their COVID-19
infection compared to fully vaccinated cases