THE National Government is working to establish another two sites to become field hospitals for those who tested positive to COVID-19 and are sick.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said this is because the Central Field Hospital at Lawson Tama has already reached its capacity.
One of the sites identified is a former quarantine station and should be available this afternoon (Friday 21st January).
“Once completed, these additional facilities will increase our capacity to accommodate more COVID-19 patients that are symptomatic and sick,” Mr Sogavare said.
In the meantime, due to lack of adequate space in the Central Field Hospital, the Prime Minister said asymptomatic patients have to self-isolate at their homes.
“Sadly we do not have adequate space in the Central Field Hospital to cater for all the diagnosed cases of COVID-19.
“We have no option but to adopt the same strategy used by other countries that have been faced with this situation of inadequate facilities to look after COVID-19 positive cases where they use home quarantine for asymptomatic patients.
“I understand that many people diagnosed with COVID-19 are reluctant to return home for fear of potentially infecting others at home.
“However, when we have very limited facilities the Oversight Committee has recommended that all positive COVID-19 cases that are not sick and are asymptomatic to remain home and self-isolate at their homes for 14 days.
“Additional information will be provided on this aspect soon. Only the very sick patients will be taken to the Central Field Hospital,” he said.
Mr Sogavare was speaking during his special address on the COVID-19 situation in the country this afternoon.
He said until the country can quantify the magnitude and extent of the community transmission of COVID-19, the Oversight Committee has put in place the following measures;
- All incoming passenger services from overseas has been suspended until further notice. Cargo flights will continue
- Outgoing passenger flights have been suspended because of the risk of exporting COVID-19 from Solomon Islands to other countries.
- All domestic passenger services – by air and sea – from Honiara to the provinces are suspended until further notice. People travelling from the provinces to Honiara are asked to postpone their travel.
- International cargo vessels and fuel tankers will continue to operate.
- All stevedores that board logging vessels will have mandatory COVID-19 testing before they board the vessels.
- All ships that left Honiara in the last few days will be recalled for assessment and testing of crews and passengers.
- Surveillance, contact tracing, swabbing will continue to be strengthened,
- Laboratory services is being strengthened
- Vaccination station will be open as of Monday 24th January in Honiara City Council clinics and strategic locations around the city.
These measures came into effect immediately as the Oversight Committee activated the national and provincial health emergency plans, national and provincial disaster management plans and the N-DOC central plans.
