Today the Ministry of Health confirmed 29 positive cases of COVID-19 in Torba Province and 25 on Pentecost Island. All of Torba Province and Pentecost Island will move immediately to Level 3 of the Vanuatu Outbreak Alert System, which means there is widespread community transmission, and the risk is very high.
All passenger domestic inbound and outbound travel to and from Torba Province and Pentecost Island are currently suspended, except for essential health workers and cargo, until further notice. In addition, all internal travels between the islands of Torba Province and within Pentecost Island are suspended from today until the Ministry of Health has completed its investigations.
Within the period, anyone showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 is advised to go immediately to the nearest health facility.
People are advised to seek medical care immediately if they have symptoms and are at risk of severe disease OR if they have danger signs of COVID-19. In the case that people have mild symptoms and are not at risk of severe disease, people do not need to seek medical care, but are advised to go for a test.
Common and mild symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, sore throat, fever, muscle aches and pains, however some people might have no symptoms at all. However, some people might have no symptoms at all. People with and without symptoms are both contagious and can spread the virus to others.
Danger signs are symptoms that include trouble breathing (shortness of breath or difficulty to breath); ongoing chest pain or chest feels tight like someone sitting on it; severe headache for a few days; appears confused or unable to stay awake or wake up; pale, grey, or blue coloured skin, lips, or fingernails; and feeling progressively weaker.
Other restrictions that apply in Torba Province and Pentecost Island at this time include:
- all schools and other education facilities are closed;
- All workplaces (other than workplaces providing essential services) are closed and must not require any employee to present;
- church gatherings, social events, and public gatherings are prohibited.
All essential services that operate must enforce physical distancing and all COVID-19 protocols at all times with only essential staff to support operations.
To augment the COVID-19 response capacity on the ground in Torba Province, a surge team has been deployed from the national level comprising technical experts to assist with surveillance assessment, assessment of health facilities, setting up of community isolation centres, risk communication and community engagement activities, infection prevention control and testing, as well as other COVID-19 response support required. Testing for COVID- 19 is now operational. Testing sites will be expanded to other health facilities in Torba Province and on Pentecost Island in the coming days and their locations will be communicated to the public.
Everyone is strongly advised to continue COVID-19 preventative measures. Wash hands regularly with soap and water, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth, cough/sneeze into your elbow, and disinfect and clean surfaces regularly. Wear a mask if you are going out or in public places and keep a distance of at least 1 metre from others.
Get fully vaccinated now and get a booster dose after five months of completing your primary vaccination series. Older people (aged 55 and above), pregnant women, and those with existing conditions are strongly encouraged to get their COVID-19 vaccine now. COVID-19 vaccination protects against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
Any updates on the COVID-19 situation will be provided through official sources and the public is urged not to spread any false or misleading information. Please refer to the Ministry of Health COVID-19 website for recent updates: www.covid19.gov.vu and follow the Health Promotions Vanuatu Facebook Page. For any questions, please call the free 119 Health Information.
Contact details: Dorinda Bule, Communications Officer, Department of Public Health, Tel: +678 563 6472