COVID-19

Covid on the rise in French Polynesia

The health authorities say 66 infections were recorded in the past week, mainly among older people in Tahiti.

They say almost all infections are the latest variant of the virus, which is spreading around the globe.

However, to date no serious cases have been reported and no hospitalisation has been needed reports RNZ Pacific.

People are encouraged to get vaccinated, especially if they are at risk of complications.

 

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11,171 new cases, 24 further deaths and 200 in hospital in New Zealand

Of the new cases, 4630 are reinfections reports RNZ.

The ministry reported 24 deaths over the past week.

The ministry said 26 deaths were attributable to Covid-19. It said the change in total deaths with Covid-19 may not be equal to the number of new deaths reported today.

"This is because deaths that occurred more than 28 days after a positive test that are subsequently determined to be unrelated to Covid are removed from the total."

Fiji revokes “No Jab No Job Regulation”

The regulation is effective from the date of gazettal.

“Cabinet on 14 February 2023 endorsed that the Health and Safety at Work (General Workplace Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (2021 Amendment Regulations) in relation to the “No Jab, No Job” regulations be revoked. Such revocation will be effective from the date the same is published in the Gazette.”

The Attorney-General Siromi Turaga highlighted this will mean those who lost their jobs when the policy came in can apply for jobs again.

Hong Kong ends mask mandate after 945 days

The virus is under control in Hong Kong with no major signs of a rebound, the city's leader John Lee said.

BBC reports under the mandate, which began in July 2020 and lasted for 945 days, people could be fined up to HK$5,000 (£530; $640).

"With the removal of the mandate, Hong Kong will return to normalcy," Mr Lee said on Tuesday.

"In this year and the coming year, we will go all out for the economy and development at full speed."

Before Wednesday, people living in Hong Kong had to wear a mask in any public area.

Niue says it has stamped out Covid-19 in the community

Community transmission was first announced in November last year.

RNZ Pacific reports there was a peak in December with the number of positive cases reaching 390 out of a population of about 1400.

Since then, January saw 210 positive cases, which gradually decreased as people recovered and very few new cases were detected or reported to the Health Department.

Minister for Health Sauni Tongatule said he was very pleased that there are now no active cases.

China's Covid-19 wave: Coffins sell out, crematoriums busy

We watched the skilled craftsmen as they carved elaborate decorations into the freshly-cut wood. Over recent months, they say, they haven't had time to stop.

One villager, a customer, said that at times the coffins have sold out. Laughing with a dose of the black humour you find in the area, he added that those in the funeral industry had been "earning a small fortune".

BBC reports there has been much debate about the real number of Covid-19 deaths in China, after the virus ripped through its megacities.

New Zealand has13,880 new cases, 79 deaths and 242 in hospital

The seven-day rolling average of community cases is 1979 - last Monday it was 2738. Of the new cases, 5357 are reinfections.

There were also 242 people in hospital at midnight Sunday including seven cases in ICU.

RNZ reports the ministry also reported 79 deaths with Covid-19.

Incoming NZ Prime Minister Chris Hipkins singles out 'global inflation pandemic' as priority

Hipkins and new Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni will take the reins on Wednesday, following Jacinda Ardern's sudden announcement last week she was quitting after a challenging five years in the top role.

Fiji prepares for a surge in Chinese tourists

The Health Ministry stated that Fiji does not have direct travelers from China and so countries that receive passengers directly have the ability to surveil for variants and Fiji now has an in-country capacity to survey for new Covid-19 variants.

However, Tourism Minister Viliame Gavoka said the ministry has committed marketing funds for Japan and China as they are definite that the number of visitors will accelerate this year.

He said they are aware of the surge in Covid-19 cases in China but will ensure that the safety of Fijians is not compromised.

Covid-19: XBB.1.5 variant detected in Fiji

Due to this, the Health Ministry states it is ready to review some public health border measures.

The sub-variant, also known as Kraken, was descended from the Omicron XBB subvariant, itself a cross between two earlier strains: BA.2.75 and BA.2.10.1.

It comes just a day after New Zealand revealed the variant had also been detected in the country late last week.

The World Health Organization said it has been detected in at least 31 other countries.

Medical superintendent Jemesa Tudravu told FBC news the variant had high transmissibility.