COMMUNITY transmission of covid-19 to some Provincial locations are highly possible due to the movement of people from Honiara to the Provinces before the capital went into lockdown.
Besides Honiara, Ontong Java and parts of Guadalcanal, health authorities have indicated that transmissions are highly possible in Auki in Malaita Province, Marovo in Western Province and the Central Islands provinces.
“We are sending rapid tests kits and samples from these provinces will be sent back to Honiara for analysis,” Health Minister Dr. Culwick Togamana said today. “Once test results are available, we will be able to inform if there is community transmission in these provinces and areas”.
Malaita and Western Provinces will now conduct tests at Kiluufi and Gizo hospitals respectively. A laboratory technician is now in Malaita to help start COVID testing at Kilu’ffi Hospital.
In Western Province this week, a surge in flu-like illness were noted in Rukutu village where health authorities have suspected a recent gathering involving people travelling from Honiara may have transmitted COVID-19 there.
A Provincial Health team traveled to the village this week and distributed face masks, provide advice on COVID-19 safety measures and collected 22 samples for testing in Gizo.
Authorities are also monitoring flu like illnesses in Makira province.
SOURCE: GCU
