PM requests health authorities to speed up expanded contact tracing

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has requested health authorities to speed up the expanded contact tracing process in Malaita province.

Speaking during his nationwide address earlier this week, the Prime Minister said he had requested the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Director of Health and Medical Services in Malaita Province, Dr Henry Kako, to speed up the expanded contact tracing process and swabbing of the other contacts of the student that tested positive while in his village.

“I have requested health authorities to expedite the expanded contact tracing so that we can definitely close this case,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Prime Minister has assured the people in Malaita Province that authorities are confident that there had not been any community transmission in Malaita province.

“We will provide further updates as soon as the results of our expanded contact tracing program comes to hand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sogavare has conveyed his sincere appreciation to those that assisted in and were involved with the joint mission to contain and manage the situation in Malaita province.

“I reiterate my thanks to the members of the joint team, the community members, as well as family and friends of the reactivated case, for their support,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the student has since tested negative and is currently at the Field Hospital.

Prime Minister Sogavare also reconfirmed that the 31 tests that were collected in the village in Malaita, all tested negative for COVID-19.

ENDS//