First Covid-19 Found in Remote Pacific Island Nation

Photo from Google Images

Vanuatu is a remote island nation in the pacific, one of the few places in the world untouched by the coronavirus. That is until this week, when a 23-year-old man returned from a travel to the U.S. tested positive while quarantining back home. He had flown back to Vanuatu on November 4 and was asymptomatic.

The health ministry confirmed that physical distancing and personal protection measures were applied and maintained during the flight, arrival, and during transport to and during registration at the quarantine facility. The man will remain in isolation until health clearance is given.

As of now, the coronavirus is active in 217 countries and territories, with 51 million cases of Covid-19 worldwide. More than 1.3 million have died from the virus since December 2019, when China reported its first case.

Vanuatu had been lucky until now, mostly thanks to its geographic location. Its closest neighbor, Australia, is more than 1000 miles from Australia and Vanuatu itself is made up of many tiny islands.

If a cluster is found within the general population, the health ministry will likely implement travel restriction and implement mask use in those with Covid-19 symptoms.

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