Results for Pacific Islands

Six deaths from COVID-19 in Tonga have been confirmed, while another five people with the virus died from underlying illnesses, the Minister for Health, Hon Dr Saia Piukala said today, March 29.

Eight United Nations personnel, who recently completed their 15-day mandatory quarantine in Tonga, are now providing direct support to the country's ongoing recovery efforts from the volcanic and tsunami event that occurred in January.

The COVID-19 virus has reached Ha’apai, with 29 positive cases confirmed out of the 126 people who travelled from Nuku’alofa to the outer islands, last week. Meanwhile, a total of 363 new cases were recorded in the whole of Tonga over a 24 hour period up to 6:00am today, bringing the total number of active cases in Tonga to 2,919. Positive cases in Tonga are forecast to peak at 1,000 cases per day by mid-April. Three people have died from COVID-19 and another six positive cases died from underlying illnesses.

If essential non-government services run out of petrol this week, it's just too bad – no fuel refills are allowed until Tonga's hard lockdown ends on Saturday morning. Only vehicles with a "P' number plate may refill at designated bowsers.

A strong wind and heavy rain warning is in force for Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai land areas for tonight and tomorrow, Saturday.

Tonga Rugby Union Men’s Sevens team has qualified for the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby World Cup Sevens this year, announced Oceania Rugby on March 10.

It took 21 months of navigating through COVID-19 challenges for ‘Atenisi Institute 2020 dux graduate, ‘Okusitino Tae of Kolonga, to get a student visa to begin studying in the US this year. Navigating COVID restrictions, saw him stuck in Tonga, New Zealand and Fiji, before he could finally board a flight for the US.By Eleanor Gee

The Queen’s Charity in Tonga has distributed much needed food supplies and water to communities affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami of January 15.

Tonnes of plastic water bottles have been coming into Tonga through aid supplies since the Hunga Tonga- Hunga Ha’apai Volcanic eruption and tsunami devastated coastlines in January. Volunteers have been collecting bottles and plastic waste from over 1,500 households in Tongatapu, which can be compacted in two balers that were donated by the Australian Government, supporting the activities of a local 'No Pelesitiki' campaign.