HIGHLIGHTS
- Two active cases of COVID-19 were detected in a quarantine facility on 24 October 2021. These cases tested PCR positive at day 2 after arriving on 22 October 2021 to Vanuatu from New Caledonia. Both cases and all other persons on the same flight are currently without signs or symptoms of COVID-19. Further testing is ongoing. All active cases will be transferred to the COVID-19 isolation ward at Vila Central Hospital. Contract tracing has been launched.
- As of 25 October 2021, Efate and Offshore Islands are elevated to Alert Level 1 (Medium): Cases at the border. Everywhere else remains at Level 0 (Low): No cases. There is currently no evidence of transmission of COVID-19 in the community.
- Everyone is urged to refer to official information sources and avoid rumours. Updates will be communicated via the COVID-19 website: www.covid19.gov.vu
TWO ACTIVE CASES CONFIRMED IN QUARANTINE
On 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. On 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. 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.
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 Alert Level 1 (Medium): Cases at the border. There is currently no evidence of transmission of COVID-19 in the community. Therefore, everywhere else remains at Level 0 (Low): No cases. Since the beginning of the global pandemic Vanuatu has been successful at containing all COVID-19 cases in quarantine. 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. Outcomes from further testing will be provided to the public once available.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Everyone is urged to refer only to official information sources and to avoid spreading misinformation and rumours. Further information and updates are made available by the Ministry of Health on the dedicated website at www.covid19.gov.vu and the free landing page at https://bit.ly/vanmoh or by calling the Health Information Hotline on 119.
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