CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Government Information Office
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
by
His Excellency President Lionel
Aingimea
Tuesday, 7 July 2020
It has been six months since the global outbreak of coronavirus
and three months since Nauru declared the state of disaster and
partially closed its borders and commenced quarantine measures.
In this week's situational update, President Lionel Aingimea
says "by the grace of God, we are blessed" to have remained
coronavirus-free.
The president thanks health care workers, security, police,
Nauru Airlines and everyone that has pitched in to help Nauru
remain COVID-free, but warns the virus is far from over.
"This situation is not getting better, it's getting worse."
While Nauru does not feel the direct effects of COVID and still
enjoy large gatherings, the president warns we must remain vigilant
in protecting our home and borders using the example of the
Australian state of Victoria that has been struck by a second wave
of the virus prompting a closure of the NSW-Victoria border from
tonight, 12.01am on Wednesday, 8 July. It is expected to be shut
for weeks amid the coronavirus spike.
Australian media reports hundreds of police officers are on
their way to the NSW-Victoria border where Victorians will be
stopped from crossing at midnight tonight.
Regionally, Fiji has had a new confirmed case where a 66 year
old man repatriated from India tested positive with coronavirus
while in quarantine in Nadi. He is now in isolation at Nadi
hospital with his son who travelled with him. The remaining
passengers on the flight are being tested and under
observation.
Locally, air and sea travel maintains their schedule with the
recent arrivals of the CIE barge carrying water tanks and the cargo
ship Capitaine Quiros bringing supplies. All crew members from both
vessels have tested negative for coronavirus.
Freighter flights continue their schedules and our local staff
needing to interact with flight crew are properly dressed in
personal protective equipment.
Two Solomon Islander weightlifters who were repatriated from
Noumea with Nauruan weightlifters have finally returned home,
Friday 26 June, after being stranded on Nauru due to travel
restrictions. They were hosted by Nauru following their time in
quarantine at the Meneñ hotel.
"Those are the kind of things that make people in the region and
international aware," President Aingimea said underscoring that
"Nauru may be small but our actions are big" and we are always
ready to help in desperate situations.
The hospital upgrades and construction of the acute block is
ongoing and expected to be complete by September. The contractors
are now waiting for the remaining ICU materials and outfitting on
the oxygen piping systems.
Upgrades to the oxygen plant means the hospital can create its
own medical air that is used in operating theatres, hence
eliminating the need to import oxygen cylinders.
The hospital is expecting two ambulances, a sterile machine and
around 30 ventilators, thanks to donor partners.
In regards to overseas medical referrals (OMR), the president
stressed that these are particularly challenging to manage at the
moment amidst coronavirus, and emphasised that all patient
approvals and entry into Queensland is made by the Queensland
government.
The Queensland government also decides on how much time our
patients spend in quarantine before they are transferred to
hospital.
In these unprecedented times, it is important to understand that
things are different and the usual processes to undertake in
medical situations have changed.
"Those are the things [medical clearances and directions] we
have to compete with," President Aingimea said.
The Nauru Government endeavours to seek a waiver in these
medical circumstances.
The Coronavirus Taskforce and the National Emergency Services
are planning a second drill that is scheduled for Friday, 17 July
and will require movements by the police, health and NES staff. The
details will be announced in due time and the public advised
accordingly.
Let's work together to keep Nauru free from COVID-19.
ENDS///
Issued by:
Nauru Government Information Office,
Republic of NAURU
Ph: +(674) 557 3009 E: gio.nauru@gmail.com / naurugovinfo@gmail.com / www.naurugov.nr