Kiribati Covid-19 death toll now stands at eight
Five more Covid-19 fatalities have been recorded in Kiribati, bringing the total number of people who have died from the virus to eight.
The health ministry confirms another five elderly patients are currently in isolation facilities for medical care.
Betio Hospital Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koro Vaka'uta
Kiribati recorded 83 new community cases on Tuesday and 2,665 people have tested positive.
The health ministry said community transmissions have been recorded on South Tarawa, Betio and Buota, North Tarawa, Butaritari, Abaiang, and Abemama.
They are calling on citizens to "take extra care and look after their elderly parents and relatives" and to ensure they get vaccinated.
Covid-19 cases continue to climb in Solomon Islands
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 capial 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 deamnd for vaccination. Health workers will travel by foot, by boat to ensure they are taking the vaccine to these vulnerable populations, hard to reach children and their familes."
Dr Frances Vulivuli said testing kits including rapid atigen tests have been sent to all provinces.
The CNMI records 159 new cases
The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands has the highest number of Covid-19 cases per 100-thousand population in the United States.
This week, the CNMI recorded two Covid-19 related deaths - taking the death toll to 25.
The CNMI has surpassed neighboring Guam with a daily case average of 210.
The islands' total is 7,746 cases since March 26, 2020.
Papua New Guinea reopens for tourism
Quarantine free travel to Papua New Guinea will now be possible.
The controller of PNG's Covid-19 response Police Commissioner David Manning said from Wednesday international visitors may travel to PNG.
Visitors over the age of 18 must be fully vaccinated and all passengers must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test 72 hourse before departure and submit to a Covid-19 test upon arrival.
Passengers who test positive for Covid-19 will be required to undergo seven days of quarantine, everyone else is exempt.
A notable change to domestic regulations is the lifting of all Covid-19 restrictions on public transportation.
Domestic flights however will still not take any passengers displaying Covid-19 symptoms and a nationwide ban on the sale of alchohol from Friday through Sunday remains in effect.
