CHART UPDATED AT 11:15AM: Editor's note, Location of new cases not determined, at this stage. Figures from Vaiola Hospital ICU, the Mu'a Isolation unit, and Taliai Camp Quarantine were not revised today.

Tonga has reported 31 new COVID-19 positive cases this morning, one of them in Tu'anuku, Vava'u, as authorities try to slow the outbreak with a continuing lockdown.

Two new suburbs of Nuku'alofa, named as Mataika and Kolomotu'a have one case each.

All of adults who tested positive were vaccinated. There are also children testing positive but the age and genders of the new cases was undisclosed.

All were reported to have mild symptoms so far.

Omicron variant in Tonga.

At a press conference called at 9:00am this morning, Thursday Feb. 10,  the Minister of Health Dr Saia Piukala, said that five tests had been sent to Australia. These tests confirmed last night that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading in Tonga.

The 30 new cases in Tongatapu are related to the same clusters that were reported yesterday, with the hotspots Sopu, Halaano, Vaini, Pili and Fasi. Earlier clusters were detected in Matahau, after the virus spread from two port workers. The Vava'u case reported today is under investigation.

"We suspect there are others in Vava’u that may possibly have the virus but we will have to repeat tests to confirm,” said Hon Dr Piukala.

Red zone hotspots remain under strict lockdown orders.

Today Health authorities asked families to stay put in their own homes.