An update on COVID-19 related developments in the region today:
Guam
Guam has suffered its fourth COVID -19 related death.
The Guam Daily Post reports that the a 67-year-old woman, who had recently traveled to the Philippines, died on Friday at Guam Memorial Hospital.The patient had underlying health issues that were compounded by the virus, officials said.
To date, Guam has reported 84 confirmed cases. 14 patients have recovered. The count does not include 114 sailors on the USS Theodore Roosevelt who tested positive.
Guam’s number of COVID-19 cases rose to 84 on Friday with two additional cases. There have been four deaths, and 14 patients have recovered. Sixty-seven patients are in isolation. Three weeks ago, Guam had three cases.
Fiji
Fiji has reported five new cases of COVID-19 today, taking the nation’s total to 12. The five new cases – two from Labasa, and one each in Suva, Lautoka and Nadi, were confirmed Saturday. Just one of these cases, the one in Nadi, is unrelated to earlier reported cases.
A frustrated Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has warned citizens that if they continue to disobey restrictions now in place, Government will be forced to impose a 24 hour nationwide curfew next week.
“This level of lawlessness is irresponsible, un-Fijian and just plain stupid. We are at war with the most devastating global pandemic in 100 years and any disobedience in our ranks will cost us lives.
Meanwhile police arrested another 123 individuals for violating curfew –– up from 60 the day before.
French Polynesia
French Polynesia has registered two more Covid-19 cases, raising the total to 39. One positive test result showed no connection to the other known cases, all of which were linked to overseas travel.
In French Polynesia a nightly curfew is in place and the sale of alcohol has been banned.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia’s President Thierry Santa has moved into self-isolation after a member of his crisis management team tested positive for Covid-19.
Santa says other team members have also moved into self-isolation as they had close contact with the diagnosed member.
17 people have tested positive so far in New Caledonia.
Regional action
Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers will meet on Tuesday to discuss a coordinated regional response to COVID-19 in partnership with the World Health Organisation and the Pacific Community.
“If ever there was a time where the region and its partners needed to work together in strong solidarity to overcome a direct and immediate threat to the lives of our people across our Blue Pacific region – it is now,” said Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General to the Pacific Islands Forum.