Rising cases of Coronavirus-19, especially the Omicon variant of the virus has seen significant numbers of new Covid cases in NSW and increases of Omicon variant in New Zealand.
In NSW hospitalization have increased to new levels with patients suffering from Covid-19.
Prime Minister Sogvare last week advised citizens of the Solomon Islands to be prepared for Covid-19 and to begin practicing safety measures.
Here is what the PM advised, and I quote.
The PM calls on all citizens to start practicing Covid-19 safety measures – wearing of face masks when you leave your homes, social distancing, avoid crowds and regular hand washing with sanitizers.
The rapid spread and the devastating impacts of the Omicron variant in Australia and in other neighboring countries should be a lesson for the unvaccinated to get vaccinated.
.The variant has the potential to spread very quickly in Solomon Island because our rate of vaccination is extremely low.
“More than 82 percent of our population is not protected because they are not fully vaccinated or not vaccinated at all,” the PM said.
The low rate of vaccination is a recipe for disaster should community transmission of the virus is experienced.
The PM said that the National Referral Hospital (NRH) does not have the capacity to look after large numbers of people infected with the virus.
He went on to say that he has been advised not to house Covid-19 patients at the NRH for fear of spreading the virus amongst the existing sick population.
“This means that most Covid-19 infected people will remain in their own homes.
“This will spread the infection to everyone in the household.
“Many of the unvaccinated will get infected, many will be seriously ill and sadly, many could die,” he said.
Mr. Sogavare stressed that he has called on all citizens time and time again to be vaccinated since the launch of the Covid-19 vaccination program in March of this year.
“Sadly, only 18 percent of the population responded to the call and received their two mandatory vaccination doses,” he said.
“Another 29 percent have received their first doses and I am urging those concerned to come forward to complete their second jabs when their times come,” he added.
“I’m asking all members of the public to ensure they are vaccinated.
“This is the only proven way to protect yourselves, your families and your communities from Covid-19,” the PM said.
The PM calls on all citizens to start practicing Covid-19 safety measures – wearing of face masks when you leave your homes, social distancing, avoid crowds and regular hand washing with sanitizers.
“I hope and pray that we are spared from the scourges of community transmission and equally called on all Solomon Islanders to prepare for any eventuality,” he said.
End of quote
Source – Solomon Times Online – 30 December 2021.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
