Three COVID-19 cases confirmed in Niuafo‘ou [1]
Friday, May 13, 2022 - 19:04
Three COVID-19 cases have been reported in Niuafo’ou, the Minister for Health, Hon Saia Piukala confirmed today.
He said they are islanders who had returned to Niuafo’ou.
Only the islands of ‘Eua and Niuatoputapu have not recorded any COVID-19 cases so far.
There are now 871 active COVID-19 cases, with 63 new cases recorded as at yesterday, May 12.
New daily COVID-19 cases have been under 100 for the last few weeks, he said.
Contact Tracing App
The Ministry of Health’s new COVID-19 contact tracing app called Tonga ‘Atautolu is now available to download.
Hon. Dr Piukala said the plan is to have it working by next week. The app will help the Ministry trace those who might be positive with the virus.
“We know that the local cases are dropping but this will be useful for us as we continue to move forward with COVID-19.”
Vaccination rates today have reached 98% for 1st doses, 91% for 2nd doses, 58% for booster doses and 31% for children aged five to 11 years old.
Repatriation flights in June
Meanwhile, repatriation flights are scheduled on June 1, 15 and 29 from Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand.
As for when Tonga will be opening its borders, Hon Dr Piukala confirmed that a number of conditions will need to be met, but further discussions would be held next week.