BY ALEX DADAMU
Health teams contact traces have now established COVID-19 cases in 25 Locations In Honiara and 3 location outside of the city.
Prime Minister in his nationwide address today admits that the extent of community transmission of COVID-19 in Honiara is a matter of concern after 120 positive cases were diagnosed in the last 24 hours.
The locations are as follows:
Abira
Borderline
Burns Creek
Fijian Quarter
Point Cruz
Gilbert Camp
Ranadi
Jackson Ridge
Lau Valley
Lordhowe Settlement
Mamlele
Mbaranaba
Mbokona
Mbokona Vera 3
Mbua Valley
Naha Heights
Naha Three
Ngossi, Rove
Sisiga
Talise
Tasahe
Vura 3
West Kola
White River
Zion
Good Samaritan Hospital Catchment Area
Ontong Java and Auki.
Meanwhile, according to Prime Minister Sogavare, the Minister of Health is still undertaking an assessment to determine the origins of the outbreak in Honiara after several common commentaries made in relation to the origin of the COVID-19 outbreak in the city.
However, he confirmed that based on current evidence, health teams have confirmed that the outbreak in Ontong Java started before the outbreak in Honiara.
“We also confirm that all the cases in Honiara have been traced to travellers that came back from Ontong Java to Honiara.
“We also know from information provided by the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority, three other vessels arrived in Honiara from Ontong Java prior to the arrival of MV. Awka on 10th January 2022.
“These vessels are Liberty 3, which arrived in Honiara from Liuaniua on 16th December 2021, MV Carolina, that arrived in Savo islands on 30 December 2021 and likely proceeded to Honiara.
“Also MV. Ocean Joy arrived in Honiara, from Liuaniua on 29th December 2021.”
Prime Minister Sogavare also added that health authorities has also been advised that a fourth vessel known simply as MV PW i12, went directly from Ontong Java to Choiseul province between mid December 2021 and mid January 2022.
PM Sogavare said that while we have been able to link the vast majority of the positive or COVID-19 cases to passengers and crews of MV. Awka, a small number are linked to an earlier vessel, either MV Carolina or MV Ocean Joy.
“We are concerned about MV PW i12 that went directly to Choiseul from Ontong Job.
“I call on the health team in Choiseul province to check on this vessel and take journey history and associated checks to ensure it is free from COVID-19.
“Our team will also check on the three vessels that came to Honiara to assess the COVID-19 risk on each of them and their crew.
