Six new COVID-19 positive cases in Tongatapu today [1]
Tuesday, February 8, 2022 - 17:02. Updated on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 - 17:17.
Six new COVID-19 positive cases were announced by Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni today Tuesday, Feb. 8, bringing the total number of active positive cases in Tonga to 13.
Two of the new cases are from Pili (in Nuku'alofa), while the other four are from Vaini, and are close contacts of previous positive cases (no.s 5 and 7) related to the main seaport cluster.
Both areas are identified as hotspots in the current outbreak (5 of the 13 active cases are in Vaini).
Minister for Health Hon. Dr Saia Piukala said the new cases in Vaini are a family [spouse and children] of one of the positive cases.
“And the cases in Pili are those who were drinking kava with a previous positive case.”
PM Sovaleni said this is a warning to people who go and drink kava, that they can catch the virus.
“It is prohibited for kava clubs to operate at this time.”
Community testing
The Ministry of Health is focusing on testing residents in Vaini and Pili for COVID-19 quickly.
Checkpoints have been set up today in strategic areas to test residents, as people go out to do their essential shopping today between the permitted hours of 6:00am and 6:00pm.
Residents wishing to leave Vaini or Pili must have a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) result, which provides a result in just 15 minutes.
“If you’re in Vaini and want to go out, you need to be tested first and then you can go,” said the Prime Minister. “The same goes for Pili.”
People who need to travel through Vaini can do so without stopping in the town.
Mild cases
Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola confirmed all the positive cases have mild symptoms so far but warned people not to relax but to be cautious.
He also cautioned people to be aware of touching other people, to be obedient, wear your mask and stay put.
“The only time you go out is for essentials, only important things, where only one person goes in the vehicle. This is not a sightseeing thing.”
Don’t withhold information
Hon. Dr Saia Piukala urged people to be more forthcoming with information and assist the health teams particularly “those who were close contacts with positive cases”.
“There have been some who did not provide the correct information. And that is the reason we are worried is that these people need to understand that they will not be punished.”
“But you can help to speed up the work of the ministry to find that person and to ensure they are isolated,” he said.
“When people withhold information, it makes it difficult for the Ministry, difficult for the town and difficult for the country.”
The Minister also urged people to take note of the locations they visit and the time.
“So, when locations are announced of where positive cases visited, it will speed up the work of the Ministry of Health for you.”
Vaccination
At least 2,185 people turned out to get their booster shots yesterday, Feb. 7, at Matahau, Fasi, Pili, Kolofo’ou, and Vaini.
The Minister for Health confirmed 140 people also received their first doses and 281 people received their second doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in these areas.
That brings the number of total unvaccinated eligible people down to 2,053.
So far, 97% of the eligible population aged 12 and above have now received their first and and 88% their second doses.
Dr ‘Akau’ola also highlighted that at least 67% of Tonga’s total population is now fully vaccinated and the target of 70% will be reached, and probably surpassed.
Vaccination programs are ongoing today at Patangata, Ma’ufanga, Popua, Halaleva, Mataika, and Ngeleia.
Tomorrow, Feb. 9, vaccination programs will be rolled out at:
- Houmakelikao: FWC Hall
- Fangaloto: LDS Fangaloto
- Pahu: Fofoanga Hall
- Sopu: FWC Hall
The government was grateful for the additional 9.360 Pfizer booster doses from New Zealand that were received on Saturday Feb. 5. An additonal 55,000 Pfizer doses were committed from Australia and Astra Zeneca from Japan, and through COVAX facilitated by UNICEF and the WHO representative in Tonga.
Restrictions for Pili and Vaini
Extra restrictions were also being enforced for all residents of Pili and Vaini starting at 6:00am today, Feb. 8, for the next 48 hours.
Residents are to remain in their homes except if they have emergency reasons, to buy urgent essential needs, or to be inoculated for COVID-19 in their areas. Residents cannot hold funerals or attend meetings and all businesses in Pili and Vaini will be closed except for today, Feb. 8, from 6:00am to 6:00pm.
Residents must wear masks, and keep 2 metres social distancing from another person. These restrictions are not enforced on security people, however, they cannot leave Vaini or Pili at this time.
People who live outside Pili and Vaini are not allowed to shop or visit anyone in these areas during this time.
PM Sovaleni confirmed today that financial assistance for thos affected by the lockdown is a priority for government and this may be channeled through the Constituency Offices.
COVID-19 Restrictions for Vaini and Pili Areas.pdf [2]