THE immediate family members of the student who tested positive for the Covid-19 in Malaita have all tested negative.
Dr. Yogesh Choudhri from WHO in the Solomon Islands announced this yesterday during the weekly talk-back show.
He said because the family members tested negative it has given confidence to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) that there is no community spread of the virus.
He said the ministry is still continuing with testing and contact tracing.
“Because we cannot be certain so the provincial team will still continue with contact tracing of the possible contact to look for them for swabs,” he said.
According to MHMS Permanent Secretary Pauline McNeil, the village where the student came from is now being declared out off bound for the next 14 days when family members will be re-swabbed again.
In light of the situation, the ministry has responded by reactivating the National Health Emergency Operation Centre of MHMS last week to validate, track, and contain a potential COVID-19 outbreak.
By FOLLET JOHN
Newsroom, Honiara
