Negative tests for 389 wharf workers and contacts, after COVID arrives in Tonga [1]
Thursday, February 3, 2022 - 21:40. Updated on Monday, February 7, 2022 - 12:47.
No further COVID-19 positive cases were found in Tonga, after negative tests were returned for 389 port workers yesterday, the Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni told a media conference today.
Tonga now has four active COVID-19 positive cases after one of the two wharf workers, who tested positive this week, returned a negative test, he said.
He said the four COVID-19 positive patients are a man, a woman, a girl and a boy.
Yesterday it was reported that the spouse and two children of one of the men had tested positive, and that the patients had been taken to the Mua Health Centre isolation unit.
The patient that was tested negative, in the result announced today, will remain at the Taliai Camp quarantine area for observation for a while.
The Ministry of Health has completed their second COVID-19 surveillance program yesterday, Feb. 2 and 389 people working on the wharf who were tested, were all negative.
Variants
CEO of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said that we don’t know yet the type of COVID-19 that has invaded Tonga, but it is essential for people to know, that the Omicron variant is a bit weaker, not like the Delta variant.
He said it is essential to be vaccinated.
“No country can stop the invasion of the COVID-19.”
“What we are pleased about, here, is that when it arrived, we have been well into our inoculation service.”
As of today, only 2,889 Tongans have not been vaccinated, in the eligible age group over 12 years of age.
The Minister of Health, Dr Saia Piukala, said that the COVID-19 surveillance will continue, and he encouraged the public, to call the hospital if they have a fever, and are coughing.
No outpatients are allowed into the hospital at this time of lockdown. He said that anyone who had been vaccinated but was not feeling well, to call his own number – 7707885. People can also contact 0800019 or 0800935.