By Eleanor Gee

The person who had tested a weak positive for COVID-19 after arriving on a repatriation flight from Christchurch last Wednesday night, has tested negative for COVID-19 in a second test done on Monday, November 1, confirmed Ministry of Health Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today.

The person, also referred to as “patient zero”, will be tested again on Friday while the remaining passengers will be tested at the end of the week or next week.

Dr ‘Akau’ola said the result of the second COVID-19 test was not released during Monday’s press conference because the results came out after it.

“Also we have to release the results first to the patient due to information confidentiality. 

“If we test him again on Friday and it is reaffirmed to be negative, then that is really good news.”

With regards to the social media conspiracies, he said the Ministry of Health is respecting and trying to protect the person’s reputation.

“I understand the pressure this person is under and should have had some counseling, at least. His information has been released on social media,” said Dr 'Akau'ola.

“But we are happy with this result, which we will test again later this week and confirm and this is good for his family and this person because the weight of the country must have been on him and the difficulty that he was in.”

Genomic study to determine variant

They will not sent a sample swab of the virus from this person to New Zealand for further testing.

Dr ‘Akau’ola said the result of the COVID-19 test in Tonga is reliable because the quality control of all the testing machines had been verified from New Zealand.

“All our equipment have been passed to the standard required and there is no doubt about the test result.”

To check if the virus is the Delta variant, a genomic study needs to be done, said Dr 'Akau'ola.

"We contacted New Zealand, and they can do this test if the concentration is high. Because of the low level confirmed in Tonga, they don’t want a sample because the level is low. However, we are still having discussions with New Zealand."

“The positive case here is very weak so we don’t need to send it to New Zealand to verify if it is the Delta variant.”

“At the same time, we are saying that it is the Delta variant even though we can’t confirm it.”

COVID-free, to be or not to be?

The Minister for Health Hon Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu today reiterated the importance of continuous testing “and because we are COVID-19 free, to protect Tonga and our people”.

Meanwhile, the 7 days lockdown that started on Monday night continues for Tongatapu.