Results for Health

Alternative flights to bring home four Tongan sports teams who are stranded in China will be confirmed soon, Tonga's Ministry of Internal Affairs said today. The teams connecting flights to Hong Kong were cancelled earlier this week due to the novel corona virus epidemic in China.

All inbound passengers to Tonga must complete a Health Customs Form to assess potential signs and symptoms to coronavirus, in a first travel advisory issued by the Ministry of Health.

An entire city in China is essentially on lockdown this week as officials try to get a handle on the Coronavirus outbreak. A few cases have been identified in other countries. Here's what you need to know.

A low number of 16 new measles cases occurred in the last week, according to a Tonga situation report issued on 2 January 2020. This brings the total number of confirmed or suspected measles cases to 612 since the outbreak began in October 2019 with around 96% estimated to have recovered.

Only one baby was born on New Year’s Day, welcoming the new decade, on Tongatapu at Vaiola Hospital. Siokatame Mataele Po‘oi made his entrance into the world at 11:24am.

The number of people contracting measles has started to decline with fewer new cases being reported. The Ministry of Health said 14 new measles cases were reported this past week, with 10 from Tongatapu and 4 from Vava‘u. This is much less than the 37 new measles cases reported two weeks ago and 46 the week prior. A total of 18,431 vaccinations have been administered as of 13 December.

The Ministry of Health said 440 people had been confirmed or suspected to have contracted measles in the current outbreak, from October 1 to December 2 in Tonga. However, it is estimated that at least 70% have already recovered.

Access to quality drinking water in Tonga depends on where you live, and what you can afford. A new laboratory to be opened on December 12 will help Public Health inspectors assess the quality of drinking water, particularly from village supplies.

Tonga’s high MR vaccination rate of 99 percent has so far saved Tongans from rising measles related fatalities that neighbouring Samoa is experiencing, as health professionals continue to fight the epidemic. By Eleanor Gee.