There have been no recent deaths reported from Influenza B, which peaked in Tonga over the past two-months. The Ministry of Health says cases of influenza-like illnesses going to the hospital to date have slightly decreased. COVID-19 cases have also continued to decrease and remain at a “satisfactory level”. King Tupou VI received his 3rd booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
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Results for Dr Siale 'Akau'ola
Wednesday 15 March 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Thursday 9 March 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Three children have died from viral pneumonia caused by an Influenza B outbreak in Tonga over the last 8-9 weeks, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. About 180 cases a week have been reported but this is likely to be an under-estimation of the number of cases in the community, said Dr Siale 'Akau'ola.
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Friday 17 February 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga recorded only four COVID-19 positive cases last week, said the CEO of the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola.
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Tuesday 23 August 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ministry of Health received 10,000 rapid antigen testing kits from China, to assist with the containment of COVID-19, after the gradual re-opening of Tonga's international border.
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Thursday 14 July 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Eua has of this week had 19 active COVID-19 cases. They are in home isolation and doing well, said Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola. He encouraged those who are still not vaccinated or have not had boosters to do so, advising the public not to be complacent because COVID is still here and there are still different variants abroad.
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Friday 29 October 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
People on Tongatapu should use the weekend to prepare for a potential lock down next week, after Tonga’s first positive COVID-19 case was confirmed today. The Prime Minster Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa this evening urged people to use this time to get ready in case more people are confirmed to have the virus.
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Wednesday 25 August 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Around 36,800 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses from COVAX, funded by Japan, would arrive in Tonga today, said Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola this morning.
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Tuesday 6 July 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Passengers repatriated from Auckland, New Zealand, last week have tested negative in their first of three COVID-19 tests while in quarantine, confirmed Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today. Three COVID-19 tests are now required from passengers during quarantine.
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Thursday 4 March 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga will rely on advice from WHO on the COVID-19 passport matter, said Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola this week. Other countries are exploring the issue of COVID-19 passports as well.
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Thursday 25 February 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga hopes to achieve herd immunity for CoViD-19 by planning to vaccinate around 60-70% of the population by the end of the year, confirmed Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today. Tonga is on COVAX's tentative list to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
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Saturday 30 January 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is finalizing its National Deployment and Vaccination Plans to access CoViD-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility, and initial quantities are expected to be announced soon. Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said COVAX is assessing the readiness of participant countries, who will have to make a contribution if they want vaccination coverage of their population to be increased. Meanwhile, some other Pacific countries have started their vaccination programmes.
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Tuesday 29 December 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s health officials are keeping their “eyes and ears open” as they closely monitor the spread of a new more contagious CoViD-19 variant in England and other countries. Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said today they would closely study how this new variant evolves and adapt quickly to any new threat as it develops.
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Thursday 17 December 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is looking to the COVAX Facility to obtain a safe COVID-19 vaccine for Tonga in 2021, the CEO for Ministry of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola said today at a press briefing at Vaiola Hospital. Tonga needs to wait for a vaccine that can be stored in the hospital freezers.
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Monday 26 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
All 141 passengers repatriated from Christchurch, New Zealand earlier this month have tested negative for CoViD-19 confirmed Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today. Another 230 repatriated passengers are expected to arrive later this week from Brisbane and Auckland.
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Wednesday 21 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Two repatriation flights are scheduled to bring 200 passengers in total to Tonga from Brisbane and Auckland next week, on 29 and 30 October the Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola confirmed today.
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Wednesday 14 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
All 141 passengers from Christchurch tested negative for CoViD-19 on the first round of testing in Tonga confirmed Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola last night.
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Friday 9 October 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
CoViD-19 tests are now being offered at Vaiola Hospital for travellers after the Health Services regulation to include CoViD-19 test fees was Gazetted yesterday afternoon.
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Wednesday 23 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga can cater for a maximum of only 246 repatriated passengers at one time, the Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said today. This means that repatriating over 3,000 people currently registered on the government's repatriation list will be a slow, drawn-out process. By Eleanor Gee.
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Tuesday 22 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The 25 repatriated passengers from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have all tested negative for CoViD-19 and are now on one week home quarantine for added safety, confirmed Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola yesterday.
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Wednesday 9 September 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is looking at providing CoViD-19 tests for outgoing passengers at a fee says the Ministry of Health, but until a regulation is amended, foreigners who are stuck in Tonga will not be able have departure tests. This may take two weeks or more to sort out.
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