16 February 2022
Covid-19 cases continue to climb in Solomon Islands, causing more people to take vaccinations seriously.
UNICEF reports there are more than 4000 cases in the capital Honiara, averaging 200 daily and that's projected to reach 500 cases a day.
20-percent of people above 12 years are now vaccinated in the Solomons, as the demand for vaccinations grows.
UNICEF Pacific's Health and Nutrition Specialist Dr Frances Vulivuli said vaccines are being distributed more widely to all provinces.
"But with this current outbreak it has increased the demand for vaccination. Health workers will travel by foot and by boat to ensure they are taking the vaccine to the vulnerable populations, hard to reach children and their families."
Dr Frances Vulivuli said testing kits including rapid antigen tests have been sent to all provinces.
Supporting news stories say as the demand for vaccination picks up in view of the increasing Covid-19 community transmission in Honiara city, more than 12,256 doses of vaccines have been administered during the period from 24 January to 9 February 2022 to-date.
Of the 12,256 doses administered, 1,823 were booster doses, 2,493 were second doses and 7,940 first doses.
“The current roll out strategy to the communities has shown great improvements in terms of Covid-19 safety measures, and much can be attributed to the support from community leaders and members,” said Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Culwick Togamana on Monday.
Nevertheless, the demand remains significantly higher and therefore considerations to reopen fixed sites in Honiara are being reconsidered to compliment the community outreach roll out of the vaccines.
Meanwhile, training for selected Public Servants to conduct Covid-19 testing at their workplaces continues with trainees undergoing practical sessions this week.
Minister Togamana clarified that this will be made available for all government ministries, state owned enterprises, private sector firms, non-government organization, faith-based organizations.
Minister Togamana has also advised those people who are severely ill while undergoing home isolation to seek urgent medical attention at the National Referral hospital.
He said many home-isolated patients may need oxygen at some stage.
The health minister noted that regular oxygen saturation level checks on current patients at the NRH showed that there is increased need for oxygen as many who appear to need oxygen actually need oxygen support.
This medical condition is called Hypoxia which is very serious and can lead to fainting or sudden collapse.
“I have been requested to issue a strong call to anyone at home who starts to feel weak or dizzy after days of fever must not wait but to seek urgent and immediate medical help at the Hospital,” Minister Togamana said.
The Ministry of Health this week procured additional 100 oxygen units that are prepositioned at the National Medical Store for distribution to NRH and Provincial hospitals and health clinics. In addition, a further 400 oxygen units have also been secured.
Meanwhile, the AUSMAT team from Australia is currently providing advice and recommendations to NRH staff including health workers in the Provinces via zoom mainly for COVID-19 patient management.
They are also assisting in the NRH planning for its new normal Business Continuity Plan (BCP), from services to logistics and work flow, due to the new additional COVID ward.
Assistance has also been rendered towards dead body management and purchase of urgent medical equipment for the Central Field Hospital.
“I wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Government and people of Australia for the substantial support to the Ministry,” Minister Togamana said
Sources – Radio Australia and Solomon Times Online.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
