COVID cases continue to surge as 465 additional cases being recorded in the past 72 hours since Friday bringing the total to 9,124 along with two deaths.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Permanent Secretary (PS) Ms Pauline McNeil updated the nation of the COVID-19 status via national broadcaster-SIBC during Sunday’s talk back show.
Honiara recorded 85 cases while the provinces recorded 380 cases.
“In the past 72 hours we recorded the additional 465 COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 9,124.
“Out of the 465, break-down, in Honiara we have 85 cases, GP 18 cases, Malaita 16 cases, Central Island 39 cases, Western 117 cases, Choiseul 43 cases, Makira & Ulawa 109 cases, Renbell 33 cases and Isabel Province the additional of 5 cases,” she said.
Temotu is currently COVID-19 free.
“In terms of COVID-19 related deaths, we have recorded two deaths in the past 72 hours which now bring the total to 120 deaths,” the PS said.
She added in terms of the hospitalisation at National Referral Hospital (NRH), they only have five COVID-19 patients at NRH and zero cases at Central Field Hospital.
Meanwhile, the PS said MHMS continues to push for more support supplies and more deployment of health teams to provinces.
Ms McNeil revealed that area health’s clinics still remain their priority for the MHMS to equip them and provide relevant medical teams.
“As we speak, we still have deployment in Western Province, two teams in Malaita Kilu’ufi and Malu’u.
“Another team just left on Friday to go to Isabel Province to support Isabel in administering the vaccination.
“So, we continue to support those provincial health clinics and hospitals,” she said.
Ms McNeil urges the public in her presentation to continue to uphold COVID-19 safety measures like wearing of masks in public places, frequent hand-washing and social distancing.
In terms of immunization, MHMS continues the vaccination and then is still looking at the figures to update the numbers.
By LACHLAN EDDIE
Newsroom, Honiara
