Tonga's Health officials are urging sick people, including Tongans, who are planning to visit Tonga, to stay away while they are ill.

“If you are suffering from fever, cough, shortness of breath or flu-like illness, please don't come to Tonga until you have fully recovered and have been checked and considered suitable to travel by a doctor,” stressed Tonga’s Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau'ola today.

The plea comes after a 21-year-old Tongan woman travelled while sick with the flu from Sydney to Tonga on Monday, 2 March, and is now suspected of having COVID-19. Results of tests are expected soon. Dr ‘Akau'ola confirmed today in an audio recording that sample tests were sent to Australia, and not New Zealand, to confirm whether or not the patient has COVID-19.

She presented herself to the hospital on Wednesday when her symptoms became worse and was confirmed to be suffering from pneumonia. Due to the quick advancement from flu to pneumonia, health officials suspected she may have contracted COVID-19 while travelling overseas.

“We expect the results of the test either later this afternoon, tonight, or tomorrow.”

While waiting for the tests, health officials are continuing to look after the patient, monitor the patient’s family who have been in contact with her since her return, and monitor the health workers looking after the patient.

Improving

Dr ‘Akau'ola said reports from staff say her condition has improved slightly from yesterday to today.

Health staff have already assessed the family of the suspected case as they are the ones that are most at risk of having the virus in Tonga, he added.

“Currently, no one in the family has any symptoms of the illness. And that is good news. But at the same time, we will monitor them for 14 days to ensure no one in the family are sick and they are self-isolated in their home."

“We are also continuing to trace all passengers who were seated near the suspected case on the plane to Tonga on Monday. We are still doing all this work even though we don’t know if the test results will confirm she has COVID-19 or not.“

Health officials have still not made public which flight the woman travelled on. There were two incoming flights on Monday from New Zealand and Fiji, and another Virgin flight arrived in the early hours of Tuesday after leaving Sydney on Monday.

Preparation

An outbreak of coronavirus, which is known to have severe outcomes for people with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, could have a huge impact on the health system in Tonga where there is a high rate of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Health officials are focussed on preventing entry of the virus and on stopping its spread in the community.

A large triage centre has been established outside Vaiola Hospital on Tongatapu to isolate people with flu like illnesses from other patients. A second tent was added to the triage centre today.

“We are working also on a quarantine area, and the HMAS base at Fua’amotu are looking at a safe area as a future space for those who have been exposed to the virus to stay in,” said Dr ‘Akau'ola.

There are also health teams going out into the community and schools to educate people on the virus, he added.

Keep your distance

While health officials are preparing for the worse, Dr 'Akau'ola emphasised that it is very important for everyone to take precautions from children to adults.

“Don’t forget to wash your hands with soap, especially after you touch or shake hands with someone.”

“At the hospital, we have already started to refrain from shaking hands, and refrain from getting too close to people for unnecessary conversation. Remember to allow at least 1 to 2 metres between you and another person especially someone who is sick with the flu."

“If there is someone who is suffering from coughing, fever, shortness of breath, don’t go near anyone, and keep your distance, wear your mask and stay at home. Don’t go to work or school.”

“Keep your distance from other members of your family so they don’t get sick, particularly if the history is that you met someone from overseas, especially if that person is suspected of COVID-19,” he said.

COVID-19

Dr ‘Akau'ola explained that the majority of people who have COVID-19, about 80%, experience mild fever, mild coughing, and mild shortness of breath symptoms.

“So, 80% are not seriously ill. And they don’t end up catching pneumonia.”

He said around 15% of people with COVID-19 are sick for a longer period but they are also fine, but around 5% of people with COVID-19 are seriously ill and are hospitalized. Out of that 5%, there are about 2% that are critical.

“The majority of the 2% are the elderly or people over 60-years-old, or people who have pre-existing medical conditions.”

WHO

The World Health Organisation Director General said in a statement on 5 March, the epidemic can be pushed back, but only with a collective, coordinated and comprehensive approach that engages the entire machinery of government. 

“We are calling on every country to act with speed, scale and clear-minded determination. This is a time for pulling out all the stops.”

“If countries act aggressively to find, isolate and treat cases, and to trace every contact, they can change the trajectory of this epidemic.”

As at 6 March, there have been 98,047 confirmed covid-19 cases, 3,354 deaths, and 54,021 recoveries according to the Johns Hopkins University [2].