No confirmed CONVID-19 cases as yet
By ANDREW FANASIA
THERE are no confirmed COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases at the moment as a total of 16 people are quarantined under the watchful eyes of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), local medical specialists.
This was confirmed to Solomon Star by the minister for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dickson Mua late yesterday.
“I want to assure the people of Solomon Island, especially in Honiara that there are no suspected COVID-19 cases at the moment as you might have heard from rumours.
“Let me assure you that they are not suspect but those whose travel history shows they have travelled through affected countries and transiting in Brisbane,” Mua told this paper.
He also confirmed that prior to the quarantined process, these 16 people showed no signs of COVID-19 but as required by the health regulation they must be quarantined.
According to their team on the ground, Mua said that a total of 9 people were quarantined at VIMO accommodation at Henderson, one of the quarantine sites in East Honiara.
“This includes 8 males and 1 female, that female is married which both she and her husband were put together in one room at the site,” Mua said.
In addition to that, Mua said the other 7 which includes 5 males and 2 females are currently on home quarantine.
One is a Member of Parliament (MP) who just returned from a conference overseas.
Minister Mua said these people being restricted from moving around and must remain at the site they are being kept.
“I want to assure our people that these 16 persons will not be allowed to move around or leave the quarantine site in any circumstances.
“Our medical experts are monitoring them on a daily basis and so far I am happy that all is good and under control which our medical team has done exceptionally well,” Mua said.
He said that these 16 people will be quarantined for 14 days before they can be released according to the reports from the medical team.
“This is a very expensive exercise but we have to do it and later come up with other options as to how we can reduce the quarantine cost,” Mua added
He further stressed that as the minister responsible, he will meet with his medical team and seek advice from the Attorney General Chambers if they can put in place a law for home quarantine which he believes Australia is currently doing.
“This is just an idea which needs further discussions and inputs from relevant authorities,” Mua added.
With regards to the couple from New Zealand, Mua confirmed that their 14 days will lapse today as they await the medical team to advise them before they live the VIMO accommodation quarantine site.
Meanwhile, Mua said that apart from their preparation and readiness in terms of infrastructures, technical advice, equipment and facilities, the virus outbreak in China has already taken its toll on the country’s procurement of medicines.
“Our normal procurement is affected, supplies are dragging and MHMS is now looking at other options.
“Normal supply chain from suppliers being affected and most of our medicine and medical equipment like masks came from China which means all countries supplies are being affected including us the Solomon Islands,” Mua said.
Mua further thanked the World Health Organisation (WHO) office in Honiara for their support and working together to address this health threat.
