366 more new cases as provincial numbers surge

Another 366 COVID-19 positive cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, 277 of these are detected in Honiara and the remaining are from the provinces.

This brings our total number of COVID-19 cases to 1,852, said the Minister of Health and Medical Services in his update tonight.  

Breakdown of cases

In Malaita 57 positive cases were recorded as of this morning and the cases detected were from those residing around Auki, Ambu, Lisiana, Faasitoro, Sikitae, Cacabou and Kilusakwalo. Test kits will also be deployed to Southern region of the province for community testing.

In Isabel, five additional positive cases were detected in the past 24 hours bringing total of positives to 15 as of yesterday.  These cases are mainly from Buala and Sepi. Samples that were collected from Kia and Babahero from contact tracing have returned negative. From these additional 5 cases, 4 were from the community, and as such, Buala is now experiencing community transmission. A Total of 33 samples were collected and tested in Isabel so far.

Togamana said data on positive cases in Guadalcanal are yet to be received however cases picked up so far are from the Guadalcanal plain, Foxwood area, Kopiu and to the west of Honiara, Vatukulau, Duidui and Ghorabau.

For Central Islands Province, the minister said: “I have with me revised figures. As of today, total of 103 samples were collected in the past two days and 17 tests returned positive including the one announced yesterday. These 17 cases are mainly in Tulagi and surrounding communities.”

He said contact tracing followed by swab teams have today been deployed to Savo and Russel for COVID-19 testing using the Rapid test kit.

For all other remaining provinces, Togamana said: “We have deployed the rapid test kit and our health teams will conduct COVID-19 testing today and onwards and results will be conveyed in the coming days.”

“I am calling on all our good people across the country that should our health teams conduct contact tracing please be truthful and once approached for swabbing or testing using the rapid test kit please come forward. This is how you can significantly contribute towards our efforts against COVID-19,” Togamae said in his speech.

Meanwhile he said as of this morning, the National Medical Store have successfully completed the shipment of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test kit to all the nine provinces.

The shipment included PPEs and necessary medications to manage symptoms of COVID-19.

“It is not an easy task to do this thus thank you to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Solomon Airlines and all other partners and stakeholders who have contributed towards swift deployment of these items to the provinces,” Togamana said.

COVID-19 Deaths

Togamana said one more death was recorded at the Central Field Hospital yesterday; a male, 54 years old.

“We have also cross checked his vaccination status and found the person to be unvaccinated.  Total number of deaths now stands at 13 including 2 in Malaita,” he said.

News@SBMOnline2022