The Vanuatu Ministry of Health would like to provide an update to the public on the COVID-19 situation in the country.
In September, the Government of Vanuatu paused inbound international travel in light of the regional and global situation of COVID-19 especially because of the highly transmissible Delta variant.
This allowed the Ministry of Health and other government agencies to assess protocols and procedures, identify any problem areas, and make improvements for travel and quarantine protocols.
New requirements were introduced, including full vaccination against COVID-19 before travelling to Vanuatu. Intake of international travellers to Vanuatu re-started on 26 September 2021.
On Friday 22 October 2021 a flight arrived to Port Vila from Noumea, New Caledonia with 18 passengers on board. They were processed and transferred to a government-run hotel facility for the mandatory 14-days of quarantine, health monitoring, swabbing and testing. Yesterday, Sunday 24 October 2021, swabs for 2 of the 18 passengers were found to be positive during PCR testing at Vila Central Hospital. The Ministry of Health are urgently conducting additional testing for all passengers on the plane to identify and confirm if there are any more active cases. Further results will be communicated to the public once these are confirmed. Any active cases identified will be transferred to the specialized COVID-19 isolation ward at Vila Central Hospital.
So far, neither of the 2 positive passengers or the 16 other passengers from the flight have shown any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. All of the 18 passengers had earlier tested negative by PCR for COVID-19 and had been provided with health clearance for travel to Vanuatu. The PCR procedure used in New Caledonia is slightly different to Vanuatu, which may explain the different results. Outcomes from further testing will be provided to the public once available.
Contract tracing has been initiated. This includes airport personnel, quarantine bus drivers, quarantine facility hotel staff, health staff and other passengers. Any individual considered to be a close contact will be quarantined and tested. All active cases will be transferred to the COVID-19 isolation ward.
At this stage, we do not know if the COVID-19 type is the Delta variant for any or all of these passengers. WHO will assist with further testing overseas to determine this, which may take some time.
As of today 25 October 2021, Efate and Offshore islands have moved to Level 1: Medium (cases at the border). Everywhere else remains at Level 0: Low.
At this stage, there is no indication of COVID-19 in the community. Since the beginning of the global pandemic Vanuatu has been successful at containing all COVID-19 cases in quarantine. Therefore, the public are urged to remain calm and follow health advice.
Everyone should continue to wash their hands, practice good respiratory hygiene, do not touch eyes, nose and mouth, regularly clean and disinfect surfaces, and stay home when sick.
Those who are yet to receive their first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine are urged to come forward. COVID-19 vaccination protects against severe disease, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Protect yourself, your family and your community from COVID-19 and get vaccinated.
Any updates on the COVID-19 situation will be provided through official sources and the public are urged not to spread any false or misleading information.