PINA

New variants of the Covid-19 virus will make it hard for countries like Cook Islands to achieve herd immunity, says a leading Pacific health expert. Herd immunity is no guarantee, says Doctor Collin Tukuitonga from the University of Auckland. “The problem with herd immunity, it’s not like you get to this per cent and everybody is sweet,” said Dr Tukuitonga. “Herd immunity...

The people of Bougainville must be ready to embrace the sweeping political changes the Autonomous Bougainville Government has undertaken as it prepares for political independence. President Ishmael Toroama made this statement during the launching of the Bougainville Independence Ready Mission Implementation initiative in the Tsitalato Constituency. “Change is imminent on Bougainville. The government has set a course for reform and change...

Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Member for Nissan Constituency Charry Napto is among seven other passengers reported missing out in the sea since Saturday. Napto was recently sworn in as the new ABG Health Minister after the death of ABG Atolls MP late Raymond Masono. ABG Disaster and Emergency director John Imaka reported a missing boat since last week Saturday with seven...

Two Fijian pregnant women are among the 21 COVID-19 deaths reported within a seven-day period from 14 July. Their babies, however, were saved via a caesarean operation by the obstetric team. Ministry of Health and Medical Services permanent secretary Dr James Fong revealed this Wednesday as he announced the country’s 1, 091 COVID-19 positive cases. He said the 21 COVID-19 deaths were...

Papua New Guinea has recorded five new COVID-19 cases as well as one death on Monday 19 July, increasing the total number of cases to 17,524. All five cases were recorded in four provinces: two in the National Capital District and one each in Simbu, East New Britain and New Ireland provinces. The known COVID-19 death was reported in the Madang...

Nine cases of Covid-19 have been detected among travellers from Fiji to New Zealand in the past week, a senior health official said. Fiji is grappling with a worsening Covid crisis, with over 14,000 positive people in isolation and more than 120 deaths reported by health authorities yesterday. New Zealand official Harriette Carr said near the beginning of the current outbreak...

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare reiterates his call for all citizens to be vaccinated to protect the nation from any possible community transmission in the the country any time soon. In the same note, he also highlighted the importance of getting the vaccines in time before it’s too late to be vaccinated and protect the nation. He made the call...

By Taniela Tuilevuka Pacific Island Council president Ema Vueti believes seasonal workers ‘get into trouble as they are not aware of the laws in relation to work in Australia and New Zealand. Vueti said people going for seasonal work in the two countries are not aware of the labour laws in the two countries. She said there were some pre-departure briefings...

The French president won’t be able to avoid the legacies of nuclear testing when he visits Tahiti this week By Nic Maclellan When French president Emmanuel Macron makes a long-delayed trip to Tahiti this week, he will be highlighting twenty-first-century issues: climate change, reef ecology and his proposed India–Australia–France axis to contain China in the Indo-Pacific region. But he won’t...

Australia’s Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja said that losing Micronesia nations will weaken the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), as the Australian government continues to engage with the leaders to keep the region united. Speaking virtually to the Pacific journalists Monday, he said that it is the position of Australia that Micronesia stays in the Forum. The Australian government’s position is...