Coronavirus: Pacific islands employ ‘fortress tactics’ in bid to halt outbreak
- The region recorded its first case this week in French Polynesia, but most island nations cannot screen for the virus, potentially masking its spread
- Remote coral atolls in the northern Cook Islands are even turning away much-needed supply ships in an attempt to prevent infection
The region recorded its first case of coronavirus this week, in French Polynesia, although most island nations cannot screen for Covid-19 – the disease caused by the virus – onshore which is potentially masking its spread.
One of the wealthiest Pacific nations, Fiji, this week opened its first facility capable of testing for the coronavirus, one of only four such facilities in the region, Radio New Zealand reported.
Brad Ives, senior captain on the supply vessel Kwai, said the sailing ship was loaded with supplies for five populated coral atolls in the northern Cook Islands, in the South Pacific, when it received word it would be refused entry.
“Fortunately, we got notice that they were going to refuse the ship before we departed our last port,” Ives said.
“There’s cargo on it that will expire. It’s a bit of a problem for us that we are solving as we go.”