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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Results for Health
Thursday 9 March 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

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.

Thursday 9 February 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga recorded a weekly total of 45 COVID-19 positive cases, the Ministry of Health reported on 3 February. More than 1,000 surveillance tests are being held weekly.

Monday 30 January 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is carrying out 1500-1700 COVID tests weekly, but only 62 positive cases were recorded last week, the Minister of Health said today, 30 January. The COVID-19 variants in Tonga are BA2 and BA5 and there have only been mild cases reported in Tonga over the past two-weeks.

Saturday 17 December 2022
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Geneva, Switzerland
Tonga’s first female Health Minister, Dr. ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu has been appointed as the new Chief Nursing Officer for the World Health Organisation headquartered is in Geneva.

Wednesday 14 December 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Health centres and clinics in Tonga are better equipped to monitor community health, with 50 digital weighing scales donated by Tanita, a Japanese company, working in collaboration with the Tonga Red Cross.

Friday 9 December 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Live and Learn Environmental Education programme was awarded US$1.5 million to provide 11,000 children and 2,900 households with access to improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene systems in four Pacific Islands. The funding was announced by USAID at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre, Nuku'alofa on 7 December.

Thursday 8 December 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new pre-built laboratory to test COVID-19, opened at Vaiola Hospital, on 7 December, will also have the capacity to detect priority pathogens such as influenza and dengue.

Thursday 24 November 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The construction of a NZD $1.6 million Tonga Pharmaceutical Facility at Veitongo is on target to be completed by March 2023.

Wednesday 23 November 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Efforts made by schools to promote healthy living were recognised with the presentation of awards today. The 'Apiako Ma'a Lahi 2022 accreditations recognised primary, middle schools, and high schools who have established vegetable gardens and healthy eating programs.

Friday 28 October 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A charity for the disabled, the Mango Tree Centre at Houmakelikao, received donation of $5000 Pa’anga from Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho on 17 October.

Thursday 20 October 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Fifteen participants from the Tonga Red Cross Society received their recognition as Pacific First Aid Instructors, after completing a training course from 10-18 October in Nuku'alofa.

Thursday 29 September 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
After two-years and six-months, Tonga has lifted most of its COVID-19 health restrictions, including that for international travel and the national curfew, effective from 27 September. The border has now fully re-opened, with a requirement for foreign adults to provide proof of vaccination before arrival.

Friday 23 September 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Around 40,000 doses of the COVID-19 MRNA Moderna vaccine donated by the Government of Spain arrived in Tonga on 22 September.

Saturday 17 September 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new cutting edge Intensive Care Telemedicine Unit worth $7.8 million pa'anga installed at Vaiola Hospital on Tongatapu, was opened by Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala on 16 September.

Saturday 17 September 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Fakakovikaetau and Dr. Sisilia Fusi Fifita, Oral Pathology Specialist, became the first Tongan dentists to be inducted as Fellows of the International College of Dentists in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Thursday 8 September 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Dental Division of the Ministry of Health has received a 40ft container fitted with air conditioning and shelves for storing supplies of personal protective equipment. The container was donated by the Rotary Club of Ballarat West, Melbourne in Australia.

Wednesday 7 September 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Around 200 people participated in a 10km colour run for the 10th anniversary of the establishment of FitLife Tonga, a popular community gym that provides exercise programs for the people of Tonga.

Wednesday 7 September 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The number of COVID-19 active cases, which saw a second wave peaking last month, is on a downward trend in Tonga.

Thursday 1 September 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Over 120 runners took part in a fun marathon hosted by the Tonga Animal Welfare Society on Saturday, 27 August, to raise funds to assist its work in increasing awareness and provision of medical care for animals.
