Tsunami-stricken island of Tonga is plunged into lockdown after infected AID WORKER caused its first ever Covid outbreak
Tsunami-stricken Tonga has suffered another devastating blow as the South Pacific island is plunged into a Covid lockdown sparked by an infected aid worker.
Several Covid cases have been detected in the nation’s capital city Nuku’alofa, marking the country’s first ever outbreak of the virus.
Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni said on Tuesday two cases were identified at the port, where humanitarian aid has been arriving from overseas following the volcanic eruption and tsunami on January 14.
Tonga has been plunged into lockdown due to a Covid outbreak sparked by aid workers. Pictured: Humanitarian supplies being unloaded at Fua’amotu International Airport, near Nuku’alofa
Pictured: Tsunami waves begin to overwhelm coastal homes in Tonga last month after an ocean volcanic eruption
Another three cases have since been detected in a family, according to Tonga radio station Broadcom FM.
The country will enter lockdown from 6pm local time on Wednesday and will be reviewed every 48 hours.
‘The most important issue at the moment is to slow down and stop those who have been affected,’ Mr Sovaleni said on Tuesday night.
‘No boat will be allowed to go from one island to another, no more (domestic) airplane flights’.
Covid-safety measures, including contactless handling of supplies, have been in place for all aid deliveries to prevent the spread of the virus.
Drew Havea, chair of the Civil Society Forum of Tonga, said the island-nation is bracing for the
‘We assume the worst, that there are going to be more.
Pictured: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s transport vessel ‘Osumi’, bound for Tonga in Hiroshima on January 24
More to come.
,