20 new COVID-19 positive cases reported in Tonga [1]
Wednesday, February 9, 2022 - 18:17. Updated on Thursday, February 10, 2022 - 20:00.
Twenty new positive COVID-19 tests were reported in Tonga today, and they are all close contacts and family members of previous cases.
At a 4:00pm press briefing, today Feb. 9, the Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni and Ministry of Health officials confirmed that the new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours during community testing. Since Feb. 8, they had found new cases at the following locations:
- Sopu and Halaano 8
- Vaini 7
- Pili 4
- Fasi 1
They include adults and children. The cases over the age of 12 years, had been fully vaccinated. Some had also received their booster shots.
“The tests were conducted over the last 24 hours around the red zones in Vaini, Pili ,and new additions of Sopu and Halaano. Sopu and Halaano are also under strict lockdown orders. Government continues to monitor the situation and the Ministry of Health is working around the clock to test all within the identified red zone communities,” they said.
Ministry of Health, CEO, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said the new cases in Vaini are members of the same family with previous COVID-19 cases who have all been in self-isolation.
"If someone self-isolates, so does the person's whole family."
"The new cases in Sopu and Halaano are also in the one family. One was isolated, but the rest of the family still caught the virus."
So far the symptoms were mild.
Because some are family members in the same household, home isolation is being considered.
Dr 'Akau'ola said around 300 close contacts are currently in self-isolation.
"And that's why we advise that everyone stay put in their own areas while we investigate."
He said they were trying to slow down the spread of the virus, so that people can get their booster shots.
Tongatapu and Vava'u are currently under a two weeks COVID-19 lockdown, with shopping allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays. The lockdown will be reviewed on Sunday Feb. 20.
Vaccinations
The Ministry of Health reported that Tonga's vaccination rate is at 98% for those who have had their first dose and 88% for those who have been fully vaccinated. Over 2,000 people have had their booster shots.
The PM announced that Government will assist families around Tonga with power bills by subsidizing Tonga Power Ltd.with relief assistance of $100 each for all registered residential electricity meter (household) in the islands of Tongatapu and Vava’u.
“Additional assistance is now being processed by the Ministry of Finance that will be accessible through Constituency Offices around Tongatapu and Vava’u.”
“The additional relief assistance of TOP$10,000 for the three constituencies of Vava’u and $20,000 for the ten constituencies of Tongatapu will assist hard pressed families, including those not connected to electricity in their constituencies,” the Prime Minister's Office stated.
He also announced today that the Ministry of Education has started home schooling through Radio Tonga’s 90FM and 87.50FM and that will continue for the rest of the lockdown period.