16 November 2020, Port Vila: On 10 November 2020, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was detected during routine day 5 testing of an asymptomatic person in quarantine.
This first case remains in the isolation unit at the Vila Central Hospital with no symptoms, and will remain so until given health clearance for release.
Risk assessment and contact tracing has been conducted by the Ministry of Health with all test results for any potential contacts confirmed to be negative. It has been concluded that this case poses no additional risk to the Vanuatu community.
Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation very closely and follow strict protocols and operational procedures already established to respond to any COVID-19 event.
At this time, members of the public are requested to remain calm and wait for updates from the Ministry of Health.
More information about the situation will be provided regularly by government agencies. People are urged not to spread misinformation and rumours.
The Ministry of Health continues to recommend the public to continue to prevention and hygiene measures including washing hands with soap and water, covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
For more information, please visit www.covid19.gov.vu or contact the National COVID-19 Information Hotline at 119.
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