COVID-19 cases expected to rise in Tonga [1]
Thursday, February 10, 2022 - 19:54
By Eleanor Gee
The number of COVID-19 cases is expected to continue rising, warned the Minister for Health, Hon. Dr Saia Piukala, this morning, February 10.
“It’s important for the people of Tonga [to be aware], that the virus or COVID-19 numbers will increase. There will be a time it will peak and then start reducing.” he told a media conference.
He said the more the virus spreads in society, the more chance it has to mutate.
“And that has been confirmed worldwide. If it is limited in spreading, it is difficult for it to mutate.”
Booster shots
Currently, the government is trying to slow down the spread of the virus so more people can be vaccinated with booster shots.
Around 10,000 Pfizer vaccine doses are expected to arrive tomorrow from New Zealand.
Tonga recorded 31 new COVID-19 cases today bringing the total to 64 active cases since the first two positive cases were announced last Tuesday, February 1. The cases are in Tongatapu and one case has been confirmed in Tu’anuku in Vava’u.
There is also one historic case from October last year that brings Tonga's total COVID positive reporting to 66.
Dr Piukala and a health team will return to Vava’u today to continue surveillance testing. “We believe there are more cases,” he said.
Vava'u and Tongatapu are currently under lockdown for two weeks with people allowed to shop for essential supplies on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:00am to 6:00pm.
COVID-19 protocols
The COVID-19 protocols people should follow include observing 2 metres social distancing from another person, wearing a mask, and washing hands, as well as staying home as much as possible.
“According to scientific evidence, the furthest distance you can cough is 2 metres,” said Hon Dr Piukala. “That’s why we wear a mask so you don’t spread the virus and its harder to reach you."
Washing hands is because the virus can survive on your skin.
"That’s why we should respect protocols. And the virus will respect our protocols and we will survive. And if we advise you to stay put, but you don’t,, then you don’t love your family and the people of Tonga,” he said.
At risk
Hon Dr Piukala expressed concern for the current 1,776 unvaccinated people in Tonga because “worldwide, the Omicron variant still causes deaths”.
“The unvaccinated, young children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses are at risk.”
“And although these 64 [active] cases are mild, that is not a good reason for you to disobey the protocols,” he said.
"Vaccinated people can still spread the virus to someone who has not been inoculated, the elderly, someone who has an underlying illness like diabetes or high blood pressure."
“And we’ll have difficulty dealing with them. While you are fine because you were vaccinated.”
“I ask the people of this country, to please abide by the restrictions."
"It’s important to rest at home. It’s better to rest at home - than rest in peace.”