The Vanuatu Ministry of Health would like to provide an update to the public on the COVID19 cases detected in quarantine on 24 October 2021. The two people confirmed to be active COVID-19 cases arrived to Port Vila on a flight from Noumea on Friday 22 October. Both cases and all other passengers on the flight remain in quarantine and are being closely monitored. All passengers met the appropriate testing and vaccination requirements to enter Vanuatu and health clearance was provided for travel to Vanuatu.
Since these cases were detected, the Ministry of Health have undertaken the following actions: immediate contact tracing to identify anyone who may have had close contact with the cases; additional swabbing and testing for the cases, all other passengers and any potential contacts; assessment of procedures for flight arrival, transport to and arrival at the quarantine facility; and preparation of the COVID-19 isolation ward at Vila Central Hospital.
Contact tracing indicates that from the time since the flight arrived from Noumea on 22 October until today there is no evidence of breaches of quarantine procedures. Investigations by specialized staff of the Ministry of Health to date indicate that all protocols were correctly followed throughout the whole process. No close contacts have been identified.
However, 20 frontline workers were quarantined as a precautionary measure. This includes immigration, customs, biosecurity, transport and health staff, all of whom correctly followed protocols. It is important to note that COVID-19 vaccination rates are now very high amongst frontline workers, which is very encouraging.
Test results for day-5 swabbing and testing of the two cases, all other passengers and the frontline workers was completed this morning. The test results confirm that the two COVID19 cases remain active. One of the persons has since developed minor symptoms of COVID19. Both cases will be transferred to the specialized COVID-19 isolation ward at Vila Central Hospital. It is not yet known if the cases are the COVID-19 delta variant. Urgent overseas testing will be done to confirm this.
No other active cases of COVID-19 have been detected. Therefore, those frontline workers quarantined as a precautionary measure who have completed their day-5 test are released from quarantine. 14-days of quarantine are not required for these workers as their risk of infection with COVID-19 is extremely low since they followed all correct procedures including use of personal protective equipment. The Ministry of Health emphasise that the privacy of all persons who have been in or are currently in quarantine including those who have tested positive must be respected.
Efate and Offshore Islands are now at Level 1 (Medium Risk) of the Vanuatu Outbreak Alert System due to the two cases of COVID-19 at the border. This means that the cases are currently contained in quarantine. There is no indication of any cases in the community or any community transmission. The rest of Vanuatu remains at Alert Level 0: Low risk.
At this stage, there are no general lockdowns in Port Vila. There are no domestic travel restrictions. Contact tracing and testing indicates that there is no evidence of any leakage of cases from quarantine. There is no indication of any community transmission of COVID-19.
The Ministry of Health remain confident that the travel requirements, protocols and procedures in place for mandatory quarantine are effective. This has been the situation for the previous 3 cases detected in quarantine in Vanuatu, all of which have been successfully contained.
Any changes in the situation will be communicated to the public. The public must remain vigilant and continue to follow hygiene and prevention measures, including to wash hands; do not touch eyes, nose or mouth; practice good respiratory hygiene; clean and disinfect surfaces; stay home when sick; and get vaccinated. The Ministry of Health continue to urge all those who are not yet vaccinated 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. Please refer to the Ministry of Health COVID-19 website at www.covid19.gov.vu for recent updates. Please also follow the Health Promotions Vanuatu Facebook Page. For any questions, please call the 119 Health Information Hotline.
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