By Staff Writer
Local health officials are alerted to confirmation this morning of two community cases of the COVID-19 virus from media reports in Tonga.
The Director General of Health Leausa Dr. Take Naseri is yet to receive official information on the cases except for the media reports.
“But I do feel for Tonga with this added burden of the pandemic virus at a time when they are trying to recover from what they went through from the volcanic eruptions and tsunami,” Leausa sympathized.
Tonga’s Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni confirmed the cases reportedly from 50 people tested at the wharf where emergency supplies were offloaded from an Australian naval vessel, HMAS Adelaide.
The Island Kingdom goes into lockdown from 6.00pm tonight Wednesday, 2 February 2022 and for everyone to wear masks in public for health security.
Families with enough supplies are told to stay home even before lockdown begins.
Up to 85 per cent of Tonga’s eligible population are reported to have already received their second dose of the pandemic vaccine.
“The distinct advantage for Tonga is the people respond very well to the strong leadership of the monarchy,” Leausa added with a measure of support for Samoa’s close neighbours.
The COVID-19 threat in Samoa remains at 30 positive cases linked to a chartered flight from Brisbane, Australia about a week ago on Wednesday 19 January 2022.
No community transmission has been confirmed yet.