Tonga's health officials have not yet confirmed one COVID-positive test from a passenger who arrived in Tonga from Christchurch on the evening of Wednesday 27 October.

No official announcement has been made but a statement from the Prime Minister's Office is expected later today, Friday.

Word of a COVID positive result started to spread among the medical community and others in Nuku'alofa this afternoon. It is not known if the test was a “False Positive” result.

The results of the first tests of all the new repatriates should normally have been announced today, but top Health officials could not be contacted by Matangi Tonga because they were all in an important meeting at Vaiola Hospital this afternoon.

The 215 incoming passengers were required to be vaccinated and to have returned a negative test before they boarded the plane. They were tested again on arrival in Tonga.

Meanwhile, all passengers began their three weeks MIQ at the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku‘alofa and Makeke Camp in Vaini. They will have three tests for COVID-19 during their isolation.