Results for Health

Tonga’s first COVID-19 positive case is believed to be a historical case, after testing a weak positive today in a third test, “we believe he is not infectious,” said Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola this afternoon. By Eleanor Gee.

The person who had tested a weak positive for COVID-19 after arriving on a repatriation flight from Christchurch last Wednesday night, has tested negative for COVID-19 in a second test done on Monday, November 1, confirmed Ministry of Health Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola today. “This is good for his family and this person because the weight of the country must have been on him and the difficulty that he was in.”

A COVID-19 lockdown hotline and vaccine hotline has been provided by the Tonga Prime Minister’s Office this afternoon for the public who wish to clarify information regarding the 7-days lockdown that started last night, November 1.

A lockdown for the island of Tongatapu will start at one minute past midnight, tonight (12:01am November 2) with stricter social distancing measures enforced to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19. It means that everyone must stay at home, except for services that are designated essential. Meanwhile, no community transmission of COVID-19 has been detected.

Thousands of people flocked to vaccination sites in Tonga last night and today, following news of a COVID-19 positive case in a passenger who arrived in Tonga from Christchurch on October 27. On Friday there were 2,000 shots and today even more.

Tonga's PM confirmed one positive COVID-19 test among the 215 passengers who arrived in Tonga from Christchurch on Wednesday. The test was carried out yesterday and results confirmed today. The PM made the announcement on national radio at 5:30pm The first confirmed case in Tonga is in MIQ at the Tanoa Hotel. The carrier had been fully vaccinated.

Around 215 repatriates arrived in Tongatapu from Christchurch last night and are currently in quarantine for three weeks at the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku’alofa and Makeke Camp in Vaini. A few more repatriation flights are planned for Tonga up to March 2022.

At least 1,090 students aged 12 to 17 years-old have been vaccinated with the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to date, since the roll-out to schools in Tongatapu began on October 21, confirmed the Ministry of Health today.

Around 31,600 doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived from New Zealand last night, and started to roll out today for inoculations of 12 to 17-year-olds and pregnant women in Tonga. There is huge demand and competition for the Pfizer vaccine globally, and the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and Tonga's CEO of Health all thanked New Zealand for making this “important gift”, which placed Tonga among the few privileged countries of the world to have it.