Results for Health

The Marshall islands was the first country in the Pacific region to have access to a COVID-19 vaccine at the end of December, while The Federated States of Micronesia and Palau expect to receive a vaccine this month. Meanwhile, Tonga and other Pacific countries are waiting to have access to vaccines through the global COVAX initiative, possibly toward the end of 2021.

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.

The 129 repatriates from Auckland have tested negative for CoViD-19 and were released from quarantine this afternoon.

One hundred and sixty-two seasonal workers left Tonga for Brisbane, Australia today on a chartered flight, confirmed Paul Karalus of Tonga’s Air Terminal Services this afternoon.

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.

The 129 passengers repatriated from New Zealand on 9 December have tested negative for CoViD-19 in their first round of testing, confirmed Chief Medical Officer (Public Health) Dr Reynold 'Ofanoa on December 11.

129 repatriated passengers arrived at Fua’amotu International Airport from Auckland, New Zealand this afternoon, December 9.

Repatriates from Brisbane tested negative for CoViD-19 and were released from quarantine in Nuku'alofa this morning, confirmed Chief Medical Officer (Public Health) Dr Reynold 'Ofanoa today.

Last week saw the first decline in newly-reported cases globally since September, said World Health Organisation Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on 30 November, while warning that gains can easily be lost. He cautioned holiday makers that being with family and friends “is not worth putting them or yourself at risk”.