CORONAVIRUS UPDATE by His Excellency President Lionel Aingimea, MP Monday, 20 June 2022
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
by
His Excellency President Lionel
Aingimea, MP
Monday, 20 June 2022
As of Sunday 19 June, 2,242 people
have been tested for coronavirus; 337 tested positive; and 1,617
were negative.
Those who are positive have either
been placed in the quarantine facilities, at home or at the
negative pressure Acute Care Unit (ACU). Five people are in the ACU
at this time and are under observation. They don't require critical
care.
There are currently 261 positive
cases in the quarantine facilities including children and their
carers.
The quarantine facilities are
nearing capacity which means we will soon rely on home isolation
and when we do, we must not forget that it's very important for you
to stay at home. You must isolate yourself at home, this will slow
the spread of the virus.
If you have tested positive but
have not been told whether you will be placed into a quarantine
facility, please stay at home. The health system is managing a lot
of cases at this time and the best you can do is to remain at home
and self-isolate.
If you experience flu-like
symptoms, please get to a testing station or the Public Health
centre to get tested. If you have access to a Rapid Antigen Test
(RAT) kit you are encouraged to call 191 or 557 3355 with your test
results. These tests can be done every 24 hours if you feel you
need to, but follow the instructions and ensure you sanitise your
hands before you conduct the test.
Additional information on how to
purchase food supplies over the phone with Eigigu Supermarket and
water and electricity through NUC are being advertised. Please make
use of them during this time.
As part of the Government's welfare
support, an ex-gratia payment will be paid to government and SOE
employees, pensioners and disability recipients to assist people
during this COVID period.
The payout will depend on your
fortnightly salary scale.
-
Fortnightly income less than $500 = $600 ex-gratia payment;
-
Fortnightly income $501 to $800 = $400 ex-gratia payment;
-
Fortnightly income $800 or more = $200 ex-gratia payment;
For further information, please
contact Acting Secretary for Finance Andy Cain on 557 2997.
Additionally, food stalls and
street vendors are permitted to sell food but you are requested to
wear masks, gloves and maintain social distance of at least 1.5
metres from each other including with your customer. Take measures
to ensure yours and your customers' safety while exchanging money
and handing over the food products.
Car wash services are a
non-essential service and they will be asked to temporarily suspend
business operations. Overcrowding and queuing at car wash stations
are an opportunity for the virus to be passed around in this
space.