Transcript
Travel into the region is becoming increasingly difficult as many Pacific countries enforce 14-days mandatory quarantine in a country like New Zealand. But dealing with returning citizens is another challenge.
In Tonga, returning nationals are exempt from offshore quarantine. The country's health boss Siale 'Akau'ola says provisions have been made in country for some to be isolated in secure homes.
"But those who do not have that environment at home, then we have another place for them here prepared for those who can't be isolated at home."
He says the Taliai Army Camp near Fua'amotu airport has been readied as an isolation centre.
Vanuatu is grappling with a similar issue in how to deal with workers returning from suspended seasonal work schemes in Australia and New Zealand.
Back in Tonga Dr 'Akau'ola says a big handicap is a lack of timely lab testing as samples have to be sent to New Zealand.
"You need a plane for that. You need to fly and that takes at least five days for the results, but I think for a quarantine and surveillance system to be effective, you need test results within 24-hours."
In neighbouring Fiji, the Centre for Disease Control opened a molecular laboratory earlier this month which can process up to 20 samples at a time, with results available in six to eight hours.
In Vanuatu, caretaker prime minister Charlot Salwai says health authorities are working with the World Health Organisation and bilateral partners to ensure medical personnel are prepared and have the necessary facilities to deal with the coronavirus if it arrives.
"I want to reassure the general public, do not cause panic in the community and among citizens and residents of this country. Let us all remain calm and comply with the actions and directives that come from the WHO, the world health organisation and the ministry of health."
In the Cook Islands, the health secretary Josephine Aumea Herman says all non-essential surgery and dental care has been cancelled to free up medical capacity. Dr Aumea Herman says all clinics are now online and GP consultations are over the phone with prescriptions being fulfilled to three month periods.
"We have been quite pragmatic in the way we have addressed our preparedness. We've looked at our resources, we've looked at our health systems and re-oriented everything so that it is in the best or optimal position to prepare for Covid-19's arrival."
She says a combined national response has been put in place with all sectors making resources available.
"For our country where we have fragile infrastructure and health systems and no ICU capability, we need a national co-ordinated whole of government, whole of country response, and that's what we've done."
Siale 'Akau'ola says intensive and critical care capacity is an issue for Tonga and other developing nations across the region.
"We have limited capacity I think to be frank. We are set up okay if cases are mild or moderate. Even if things escalate, that can be managed at these isolation centres but of course if it needs critical care then that's another story because clearly we will not be ready for that stage."
With wealthy Western nations like Italy and the US already struggling with critical care of Covid-19 patients, prevention and isolation in the Pacific is vital.
