Today the Ministry of Health announces that Efate and its offshore islands have now moved to Vanuatu Outbreak Alert Level 3. This means that the risk is very high and that there is community transmission of COVID-19 on Efate and its offshore islands. All people on Efate and its offshore islands are advised to remain in their bubbles at home and follow the advice from the Ministry of Health.
To date, there are 13 new active cases of COVID-19 reported within the last 24 hours and a cumulative total of 16 since Vanuatu moved to Outbreak Alert Level 2. There are seven (7) community cases reported within the last 24 hours and a cumulative total of 10 during the period since Alert Level 2 was announced.
People are advised to seek medical care immediately if they have symptoms and are at risk of severe disease OR if they have danger signs of COVID-19. In the case that people have mild symptoms and are not at risk of severe disease, people do not need to seek medical care.
Common and mild symptoms of COVID-19 include a runny nose, headache, tiredness, sneezing and a sore throat. Less common and mild symptoms include fever, loss of smell and taste, nausea, muscle pains, diarrhea and skin rashes. However, some people might have no symptoms at all. People with and without symptoms are both contagious and can spread the virus to others.
Danger signs are symptoms, such as, difficulty breathing, loss of speech or mobility, appear confused or unable to stay awake or wake up, or ongoing chest pain or chest feels tight like someone is sitting on it, severe headache for a few days, and feeling progressively weaker. Seek medical care at the Vila Central Hospital immediately if experiencing any danger signs. Prohibitions that continue to apply on Efate and its Offshore Islands include:
- all schools are closed for operation;
- all workplaces (other than workplaces providing essential services) are closed and must not require any employee to attend the workplace; and
- all church gatherings, social events and public gatherings are strongly prohibited; All essential services that operate must enforce strict physical distancing of at least 1 meter and observe all COVID-19 protocols at all times. There is a restriction to the movement of people into essential services venues. A maximum of five (5) customers are allowed in an essential service facility at any given time with a decreased turnover time for services provided.
There are specific requirements for public transport. For 30 August 2021buses there is a maximum of only five (5) passengers, including children, allowed each trip, with hand sanitizers and mask provided to customers. For taxis, there is a maximum allowance of two (2) persons, including children allowed at one trip with masks and hand sanitizers provided.
The Ministry of Health has ramped up all its efforts in the areas of surveillance and testing, contact tracing and quarantine, risk communication and community engagement, case management and isolation, and COVID-19 vaccination. Testing for COVID-19 is now operational at the Emergency Department of the Vila Central Hospital. Testing sites will be expanded to other health facilities in and around Port Vila in the coming days and their locations will be communicated to the public.
Everyone is strongly advised to continue COVID-19 preventative measures. Wash hands regularly with soap and water, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth, cough/sneeze into your elbow, and disinfect and clean surfaces regularly. Wear a mask if you are going out or in public places.
Get the COVID-19 vaccine now and booster dose after five months of completing your vaccination course. Older people (aged 55 and above) and those with existing conditions are strongly encouraged to get their COVID-19 vaccine now. COVID-19 vaccination protects against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
Updates on the COVID-19 situation will be provided through official sources. The public is urged not to spread any false or misleading information. For more information, refer to the Ministry of Health COVID-19 website: www.covid19.gov.vu, follow the Health Promotions Vanuatu Facebook Page. For any questions, please call the free 119 Health Information line.
Contact details
Dorinda Bule, Communications Officer, Department of Public Health, Tel: +678 563 647
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