French Polynesia Covid-19 tally passes 1200

4:51 pm on 18 September 2020

French Polynesia's health authorities say the number of Covid-19 cases has risen by another 34 cases since yesterday to 1224.

Dominique Sorain and Edouard Fritch provide Covid-19 update

Dominique Sorain and Edouard Fritch provide Covid-19 update Photo: supplied

1128 were detected since the beginning of August after the borders were opened and mandatory quarantine requirements were abolished in a move to boost tourism and revive the economy.

So far the only fatalities have been a couple in their 80s from Papeete who died last week.

The president, Edouard Fritch, stressed that in the absence of a vaccine the only remedy was social distancing and he encouraged the public to minimise contact.

To contain the coronavirus, meetings are set to remain restricted to a maximum of 10 people until at least the middle of October.

In the first wave from March to June, 62 cases were recorded.