SOLOMON ISLANDS RECORD SECOND POSITIVE COVID-19 CASE
Solomon Islands has recorded its second positive covid-19 case on Sunday.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare announced the second case in a special nation-wide address on Sunday.
The returning student from the Philippines was diagnosed overnight during the routine second testing under our testing protocol for all returning nationals.
It was confirmed that he was seated close to the first positive case during the flight from Manila.
The person has already been transferred to the National Referral Hospital Isolation Unit for further observations and management. The person does not show any signs of illness.
The person has occupied a single room at the quarantine station and therefore the chances of transmission to other students at the quarantine station is minimal.
“I wish to assure the nation that the diagnosis was made at our quarantine station, which is a controlled environment. This means there is no possibility of spread to the community,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.
The infection has been contained, and it will be managed and eradicated before the student is released from the isolation and quarantine facilities.
Ninety-two tests were conducted on Saturday and only one out of the 92 returned positive.
A further four tests were conducted on Sunday including on the positive case. Results will be released during the Prime Minister’s National Address tomorrow (Monday 12).
Regardless of second positive case, the Covid-19 situation in the country is under control.
Health professionals and camp management teams together with other front-liners have followed due process to identify, contain, isolate, and manage the second positive case, in the same manner they have dealt with the first case.
“Our aim is to restrict any diagnosed case of Covid-19 at our quarantine stations. In this way, we will prevent the virus from reaching the surrounding communities,” Mr Sogavare said.
Sogavare warned that all quarantine stations are no-go zones for families and any members of the public. All quarantine stations are in effective localized lockdown and parents and relatives are asked not to visit the quarantine stations until further notice.
ENDS///
Media Release from Government Communication Unit