HONIARA, 12 OCTOBER 2020 (SOLOMON STAR) — Solomon Islands has recorded its second confirmed Covid-19 case in the country.
This was announced by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare on national radio, SIBC Sunday.
PM Sogavare revealed the student was on the repatriation flight from the Philippines and was sitting close to the first positive case during the flight.
“Like the first positive case, this person was already being transferred to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) isolated unit for further activation and management,” he said.
Sogavare said the person has occupied a single room at the quarantine station and therefore the chance of transmission to other students at the quarantine station is minimal.
“The infection has been contained and each will be managed and eradicated before the students can be released from the isolate and quarantine facility,” he said.
The Prime Minister said a total of 92 tests were conducted Sunday and only one returned positive.
A further four tests were being conducted and the results will be made known today by the Prime Minister during his nation-wide address.
Meanwhile, repatriated students from the Philippines are expected to spend 35 days in quarantine centres following the second positive COVID-19 confirmed case.
This is an additional 14 days from the normal 21 days quarantine time period, said Attorney General John Muria Junior.
Muria Jnr explained the normal time-frame for incoming passengers from the high-rated countries with COVID-19 is 21 days.
“But due to the current development in terms of the two positive COVID-19 cases, the Oversight Committee has decided to extend the period which by the power under the Prime Minister, it would be extended,” he said.
He said the two cases are from the recent arrivals from the Philippines and the plan is to have the group cleared off with the virus before they can be discharged.
“Based on the advice of our medical expert, it might be extended for another 14 days period in which we will have testing requirements within that period,” he said.
The repatriation flight from the Philippines arrived on Tuesday 29 September and they are now into their third week of quarantine…. PACNEWS