THE country’s total number of COVID-19 positive cases now stands at 4203 as for midday yesterday (Thursday 10th February).
Minister of Health and Medical Services Dr Culwick Togamana said a total of 229 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the past 24hours – 166 in Honiara which represented 72 per cent of new cases and 63 cases from the provinces.
Dr Togamana said in terms of COVID-19 related deaths the country’s total figure stands at 50 – 38 in Honiara, eight in Guadalcanal Province, three in Malaita and one in Western Province.
He said the current COVID-19 situation in the provinces is as follows:
- Makira Ulawa Province has regained its COVID-19 free status after two positive COVID-19 cases in the province recovered with negative test results.
Dr Togamana said 10 close contacts from the same household of the two positive cases were swabbed again and their results also returned negative by Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).
- In Malaita Province, the Minister said 64 samples that were collected and tested in the past 24 hours, 17 returned with positive results bringing the total number of positive case count in the province to 362.
Dr Togamana said an additional 18 patients have recovered bringing the total number of recoveries from the province to 28.
He said the province also recorded two COVID-19 related deaths in the last 24hours bringing the total cumulative deaths to three.
“The two new deaths are both females in their 40s and both have not been vaccinated,” the Minister said.
He added that with Malaita Outer Islands now slowly getting back to some level of normalcy the Ministry of Health and Medical Services with its partner ministries will be revisiting their position on the planned joint mission to Malaita Outer Islands.
In the meantime, he urged communities in Malaita to be observant and report if there is increase number of respiratory illnesses in their communities.
- In Guadalcanal Province, the Minister said a total of five new cases were detected bringing the total number of COVID-19 positive cases in the province to 81.
All five new cases are in home isolation.
He said 29 positive COVID-19 cases have since recovered with negative test results therefore, 52 cases are still active for the province.
He said no new COVID-19 related deaths were recorded in the past 48 hours therefore the total death tally for the province still remains at eight.
- In Central Islands Province, Dr Togamana said the province’s total figure of COVID-19 positive cases remains at 75.
He said 12 patients have recovered and all current positive cases are in home isolation which means there is no admission at Tulagi Hospital.
He said so far no COVID-19 related deaths has been recorded for the province.
- In Western Province, 11 new positive cases were detected in the past 24 hours bringing the total number of case count for the province to 128.
“Amongst the 11 new cases was an adult male at Noro who passed away yesterday (Wednesday 9th February).
“The deceased has underlying health conditions and was tested positive for COVID-19.
“This is the first COVID-19 related death for Western Province. The province also reported cases of influenza or flu-like symptoms in Kolombangara, Mbanga, Shortlands and Gizo Hospital Triage,” the minister said.
He said plans are also underway for lockdown in hotspots in Western Province.
- In Choiseul Province 15 new positive COVID-19 cases were detected in the past 24hours – eight of these cases are in Taro and the remaining seven cases were from Wagina.
Dr Togamana said this brings the total case count for the province to 41.
He said the figure is expected to increase when rapid antigen tests will be conducted in the coming days on those who have physical contact with the positive cases through contact tracing.
- In Isabel Province, Dr Togamana said the province’s total COVID-19 positive cases now stands at 38. Four of the 38 positive cases have since recovered with negative results.
“All 38 cases were observed as mild, no severe cases or hospitalisation and no deaths related to COVID-19 have been recorded to date. COVID-19 cases have been detected so far in Buala Township, Titiro, Kava and Sepi,” the Minister said.
- In Temotu and Rennel Bellona Provinces, Dr Togamana said these provinces have not recorded any COVID-19 cases to date.
Meanwhile, Dr Togamana urged everyone to continue to adhere to good public health practices such as social distancing, washing of hands with soap, wearing of facemasks and sneezing through your elbow or through a cloth.
The Minister was speaking during his daily update on the COVID-19 situation in the country last night (Thursday 10th February).
