Situation Report

COVID endangers fragile health systems in Pacific nations: Report Palau and Fiji have high vaccination rates allowing it to contain virus but countries like Solomon Islands lag behind. Al Jazeera Al Jazeera

...

For nearly two years, most Pacific countries have managed to keep the spread of the coronavirus at bay with quarantines and lockdown measures, helped by their geographic isolation. For some of the countries, it is the first time they are seeing a rise in cases...

Aid to volcano-hit Tonga brings 1st COVID outbreak, lockdown BANGKOK (AP) — For more than two years, the isolation of the Pacific archipelago nation of Tonga helped keep COVID-19 at bay. But last month's volcanic eruption and tsunami brought outside deliveries of desperately needed fresh water and medicine — and the virus. AP NEWS

BANGKOK (AP) — For more than two years, the isolation of the Pacific archipelago nation of Tonga helped keep COVID-19 at bay.

BA.2 Blitzes Through Households, Even More Than Original Omicron Preprint study finds increased risk of infection with subvariant Molly Walker medpagetoday

Omicron subvariant BA.2 was associated with higher susceptibility of infection among households, regardless of vaccination status, than the original BA.1 variant, Danish researchers found.