8 Nov 2021

Vanuatu confirms Covid-cases have delta variant

4:22 pm on 8 November 2021

Vanuatu's Prime Minister Bob Loughman has confirmed that the two positive Covid-19 cases caught at the border have the delta variant.

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Photo: RNZ / Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor

The pair were part of a group of 18 ni-Vanuatu who were repatriated from New Caledonia.

Mr Loughman said the two are now in an isolation ward at Vila Central Central Hospital.

The prime minister said so far there is no community transmission but he urged people to get the vaccine.

Vanuatu PM, Bob Loughman

Vanuatu PM, Bob Loughman Photo: Vanuatu Govt

It's been nearly two weeks since the 18 passengers arrived in Port Vila on board a cargo flight from New Caledonia.

The other 16 repatriates who were placed in MIQ were released on Saturday after 14 days in quarantine.

All tested negative during their stay in quarantine.

Meanwhile, an additional 80,000 of sinopharm vaccines arrived over the weekend from China.

The acting Director General of the Ministry of Health, Doctor Posikai Samuel said these vaccines will be used for the vaccination rollout in each province for first and second doses.

This is the second batch of Covid-19 vaccines from China, the first shipment was in June 2020.