The Ministry of Health have released a new Health Roadmap to Safe Recovery that lays the path for reducing COVID-19 restrictions and returning to a ‘new normal’. This allows repatriations to re-start as the beginning of a 3-level recovery approach towards opening international borders to tourists by 1 July 2022.
Under the Roadmap, provinces will open at different times based on when they pass the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak and when vaccination targets are achieved. Shefa is the first to transition to Recovery Level 2 from 22 April 2022 based on clear evidence that transmission is decreasing, hospitalizations are steady or decreasing, and vaccination rates are high.
The Ministry of Health has been actively tracking the COVID-19 situation throughout Vanuatu. This includes daily reports on the number of tests done, the number of confirmed cases, the number of people hospitalized including in critical condition, and the number of lives lost due to COVID-19. Vaccination rates are also being monitored.
This information is very important to know where cases are, who is most affected, and to identify trends. It helps to guide Government decision on when to increase or decrease restrictions based on evidence and the current situation. These include restrictions for individuals, communities, businesses, services including schools, and travellers. Detailed reports on surveillance and vaccination information are released weekly on www.covid19.gov.vu. The latest report from 20 April 2022 identified some clear trends that indicate Shefa province is ready for transition to recovery.
Cases are decreasing in Shefa
The number of new cases reported in Efate is decreasing and the proportion of people who get tested that end up being positive is also decreasing. This combined evidence shows that the COVID-19 transmission peak is likely to have passed in Shefa.
Hospitalization rate at VCH is steady or decreasing and overall has been lower for those fully vaccinated
There has been no observed increase at VCH in severe or critical cases due to COVID-19. Overall, the hospitalization rate due to COVID-19 has been lower for those fully vaccinated (including boosted) compared to those not fully vaccinated. People who are not fully vaccinated and catch COVID-19 are at least 3 times more likely to be hospitalized. Vaccination is therefore extremely important to prevent severe disease and hospitalization.
Vaccination rates are high in Shefa
Vaccination rates are now high throughout most of the country, with the exception of Tafea province. 80% of all adults have received at least one dose and 72% are fully vaccinated. In Port Vila, coverage is especially high with, 90% of adults fully vaccinated.
Transition to recovery in Shefa
This evidence of cases decreasing, hospitalisations steady and high vaccination rates has been used to confirm that Efate will now transition to recovery starting from 20 April 2022. Close tracking of the situation in Sanma is also being done to determine when the outbreak peak is passed. While deaths remain low, any loss of life is tragic. It is important that anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms who has an underlying condition or anyone with danger signs of COVID- 19 seeks medical care immediately.
Repatriation of citizens to Vanuatu will commence in Recovery Level 2, along with other priority groups. Quarantine duration for these groups will be 3 days for those whose travel originates in the lower risk countries of Australia and New Zealand and will be 7 days for those coming from further afield and with higher risk of COVID-19 including from Asia, Africa, Europe or the Americas. In parallel, intensive efforts will continue for roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination throughout Vanuatu.
The focus is to reach those who are unvaccinated or yet to have their second doses who have at least 3 times the risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19. Boosters are now widely available to those who have completed their primary series. COVID-19 vaccinations will commence in May for those aged 12 to 17 years old.
The Ministry of Health urges the population to continue practicing preventative measures. Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow, wash hands often with soap and water, clean and disinfect regularly touched surfaces, and avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth. Stay home if you are sick and get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Wear a mask when going out to the public. Get fully vaccinated and receive a booster when you are eligible.
More information about the coronavirus situation in Vanuatu can be found on www.covid- 19.gov.vu webpage, Vanuatu Health Promotions facebook page and COVID-19 free information line 119
The Roadmap is available at: https://covid19.gov.vu/index.php/updates/recovery-roadmap
Contact details: Dorinda Bule, Communications Officer, Department of Public Health, Tel: +678 563 6472