SOLOMON Islands has recorded another 88 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 169.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his special address this afternoon (Friday 21st January) said in the past 24 hours from 8am yesterday to 8am this morning a total of 343 samples were tested.
“Eighty-eight came back positive for COVID-19. This has now increased our total cases to 169 and we only have 56 beds for COVID-19 patients,”Mr Sogavare said.
He said the distribution of where these positive cases came from are still being compiled.
He said some of these positive cases are from samples sent in from the Good Samaritan Hospital.
“…all these cases are linked directly to passengers and crew that arrived in Honiara from Ontong Java on 10th January 2022 on MV Akwa,” Mr Sogavare said.
He said a total of 44 passengers arrived in Honiara from Ontong Java on that vessel and though most of the passengers remain in Honiara some have moved to GPPOL, Foxwood area and Aruligo.
Others, he said have travelled to Western Province, Malaita Province and Makira Ulawa Province.
“It is extremely important for the Ministry of Health to contact and see all the 44 passengers that arrived in Honiara on MV Akwa.
“If any member of the public has interacted with any of these 44 people, it is possible you might be infected with COVID-19 and you can infect many other people you meet and speak with or stay with,” he said.
Therefore, he urged all passengers who travelled on MV Akwa on 10th January 2022 from Ontong Java to do the following;
- call telephone numbers 115 and 25256.
- Self-isolate and do not leave the house. The health team will come and see you for assessment and testing.
- To the owner of a house that hosts a passenger who arrived on 10th January 2022 from Ontong Java and have not yet seen a health official call 115 and 25256.
- To members of the public who know of any person that arrived in Honiara from Ontong Java on 10th January 2022, inform the health team immediately on the above numbers.
