COVID-19: Pacific Community Updates

This page will be regularly updated as new information is received

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacific Community (SPC) Public Health Division is closely monitoring the global and regional situation through its epidemic intelligence system and produces regular epidemiological reports on COVID-19 cases reported in the Pacific.

The COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease 2019) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. Globally, nations are taking actions to reduce and control the spread of the virus.

For information on global efforts to manage this outbreak, visit the WHO website for current situation reports on COVID 19: (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports)

Current Status in the Pacific: 15 September

As of 15 September 2020, 6 countries (Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam and New Caledonia) in the PICTs have reported 3,656 cases and 38 deaths.

Between 08 September and 15 September 2020, 599 new cases (1 in Fiji, 2 in CNMI, 14 in PNG, 326 in French Polynesia, and 256 in Guam) and 11 new deaths (2 in French Polyneisa, 1 in PNG and 8 in Guam) were confirmed in the PICTs.
New Caledonia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas and Guam have reported new cases in the past 14 days.
Australia: Since mid-August 2020, the number of newly reported cases has begun to decrease.
New Zealand: Community cases continue to be reported.
Hawaii: Community transmission is ongoing.

For further information on specific countries in the Pacific contact the respective government authorities.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has a dedicated COVID-19 page on the Pacific Other COVID-19 news and updates

Regional Challenges

COVID-19 represents a significant challenge for the region. The Pacific Community (SPC), as the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) lead in public health, has taken all necessary measures to help address the spread of COVID-19. This includes the adoption of a response framework aimed at supporting staff well-being and business continuity while supporting an efficient regional response to the pandemic.

Which are the main risk areas for PICTs?

In most of the PICTs, access to quality health services is limited, due to a lack of infrastructure, equipment, and qualified personnel. In the current situation, this can pose a problem of access to care if the number of infected people increases.
Most PICTs do not have the needed laboratory equipment to analyse the tests on site, which creates difficulties in identifying cases. The test samples have to be sent to other countries for analysis.
Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) are frequented by tourists. This represents a risk due to the movement of people to and from PICTs (although restrictive measures have been put in place); and also a risk for the local economies.

Country support:

Our Public Health Division is supporting Pacific Island countries and territories preparedness and response to COVID-19 through public health surveillance, laboratory, infection prevention and control, risk communication and clinical services.

Partnership:

SPC is part of the World Health Organization (WHO)-led multi-agency Incident Management Team (IMT) and therefore provides support to PICTs in close collaboration with regional partners.