In just two days, today and yesterday, a total of 328 confirmed cases of conjunctivitus (pink eye) have been reported to Vaiola Hospital in Nuku'alofa, as the number of cases continues to rise. 

"The symptoms are mostly worse on adults resulting in swollen eyes, lower eyelids and especially on upper eyelids." said the hospital's Eye Practitioner, Savelina Veamatahau this afternoon.

"Those who are infected are given sick leave and advised to stay away from either school or work for three days and some have come back asking for an extension because it has not healed" she said. 

Savelina said that three public awareness programs about conjunctivits have been broadcast on radio in the past two months and they were now preparing another programme to be aired on national TV on Monday 16 May.