Vanuatu records first COVID-19 case

Vanuatu has recorded its first official case of COVID-19.

Radio NZ reports the Director of Public Health Dr Len Tarivonda said the infected man had flown to Vanuatu from the United States, via Sydney and Auckland.

The man, who was asymptomatic, was confirmed with the coronavirus on Tuesday during routine fifth-day testing.

He had arrived in Vanuatu on 4 November but the Vanuatu Ministry of Health said because he had been identified as travelling from a high-risk location he was seated separately during flights and physical distancing was carried out at all times.

Radio NZ reports Prime Minister Bob Loughman officially announced the confirmed case in a press conference.

Loughman said the infected person was transferred to the isolation facility at the Vila Central Hospital.

He said contact tracing was underway and all close contacts of the individual would also be put into quarantine.

[Source: Radio NZ]