Health Minister Gaafar Uherbelau said that the COVID-19 virus has not been “totally eradicated” but Palau having a low number of cases shows that it no longer poses the same risk as it did in 2021.
Uherbelau in a press conference last week said thanks to both government and community responses.
“But we can’t say that we have eradicated the virus as it will likely persist like the seasonal flu into the future.
The reduced number of tests and the low number of identified cases reassures us that we are heading in the right direction in our response to Covid-19,” he said.
He said Palau has been continuing work ensuring public health measures are put in place and that people themselves are cooperating in updating their vaccination and focusing on practicing preventive measures.
“The reduced number of tests and the low number of identified cases reassures us that we are heading in the right direction in our response to Covid-19,” he added.
The latest Palau Situation Report as of February 10 showed that there is one reported case of COVID.
There have been 18,260 people who have received two doses of vaccination and 12,884 are up to date with their booster shots.
The minister said they are also monitoring the United States as its media has recently reported that the White House has announced that the U.S. public health emergency will be rescinded in May.
“We will also be paying close attention to what impact it will have on us as we are working closely with US health authorities on vaccines and other COVID-19 response measures.”