Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Compiled by: Health Sector

1. Pacific Highlights - As of 10 July 2020, 444 cases of COVID-19 including 7 deaths have been

reported across the Pacific, including 29 new reported cases in Guam and

three new cases in Fiji in the last week.

- American Samoa, Fiji, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have

conducted repatriation flights for citizens stranded in various locations,

including Australia, China (Taiwan), India, and New Zealand.

- The Federated States of Micronesia are conducting additional simulation

exercises focused on repatriating citizens and management of those in

quarantine.

- The Samoa Ministry of Health, together with the WHO Country Office and

Samoa Red Cross are travelling to outer islands as part of their household

assessment program and are distributing hygiene kits to hard-to-reach

communities.

- The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health, together with the WHO Country

Office, conducted a three-day infection prevention and control training for

staff at points of entry.

Pacific Priority Needs for COVID-19

The epidemiological stage of transmission will determine the needs of each PIC. Priority needs of PICs

at all stages of transmission include:

- Expansion of testing capability including exploring alternative testing platforms

- Planning for the relaxation or lifting of lockdown, social distancing and other non-pharmaceutical

interventions

- Monitoring consumption rates of personal protective equipment (PPE), and procurement

pipelines

- Case management protocols for mild, moderate, severe, critical, and convalescent cases

- Risk Communication and Community Engagement

- Continuity of health care service delivery

Specific priorities identified:

- Preparedness and response to first introduction of COVID-19 for PICs not reporting cases to be

assessed via simulation exercises and gaps addressed quickly with JIMT support as required

- Enhancing business continuity planning and establishing the new normal for affected PICs as

they consider easing of restrictions

- Supporting PICs to be system-ready for safe repatriation of citizens stranded overseas

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Health Sector Preparedness & Response

Joint External Situation Report #23 – 10 July 2020

Compiled by:

1 JIMT / WHO use only officially confirmed data which may differ from data published on other sources. 2

Challenges and Gaps

Inherent challenges across PICs include difficulty with access to dispersed and isolated communities,

limited transportation options, challenges in procuring essential supplies and overstretched health

systems. Specific challenges identified by the JIMT include:

- Delays in supply and delivery of GeneXpert cartridges

- Inability to provide in-country/on-the-ground support and heavy reliance on remote working

- Ensuring readiness for potential introduction of new outbreaks in PICs (with border re-opening

and easing of lockdown measures) and level of scale-up required for response

- Potential funding gaps for health sector response

Pacific Island Countries & Areas – Epidemiological Situation

Reporting Country / Territory /

Area

Total cases Total Deaths State of Emergency

Declared

Days Since Last

Reported

Locally

Acquired Case

American Samoa 0 0 Yes -

Cook Islands 0 0 No -

Guam 309 5 Yes -

Fiji 21 0 Yes 84

French Polynesia 62 0 No 67

Kiribati 0 0 Yes -

Nauru 0 0 Yes -

New Caledonia 21 0 No -

Niue 0 0 No -

Marshall Islands, Republic of 0 0 Yes -

Micronesia, Federated States of 0 0 Yes -

Northern Mariana Islands

(Commonwealth of the)

31 2 Yes 51

Palau 0 0 Yes -

Samoa 0 0 Yes -

Solomon Islands 0 0 Yes -

Tokelau 0 0 No -

Tonga 0 0 Yes -

Tuvalu 0 0 Yes -

Vanuatu 0 0 Yes -

Wallis and Futuna 0 0 No -

Total 444 7 -

Table 1: Countries, territories & areas with reported COVID-19 cases & deaths (data as of 10 July 2020).


Updates and Descriptive Analysis

- Of the 32 newly reported cases since the last situation report (3/07/2020), 29 were in Guam and

3 were in Fiji.

- The 29 new cases in Guam are among civilians bringing the total up to 263 civilians and 46

military service members. Of the new cases, 21 were identified via contact tracing, 6 via

community testing programs and 2 were imported.

- The 3 new cases in Fiji were among repatriated citizens who returned from India. These cases

were identified during the mandatory quarantine period upon arrival in Fiji. All 107 passengers

have been quarantined. Prior to these imported cases, Fiji had not reported a case in 79 days.

These cases will not change the public health measures currently in place in Fiji.

- There is publicly available demographic data for 359 of 442 cases. Of these 359 cases, 194 (54%)

are male and 165 (46%) are female. In Fiji, 57% of the reported cases were female, whereas there

is a higher proportion of male cases in Guam (54%) and CNMI (61%).

- There has been a total of 44 imported cases; 9 in Fiji, 27 in Guam, and 8 in CNMI. The remaining

315 cases were acquired locally.

- The median age of cases is 43 years with the youngest aged 1 year, and the oldest aged 92

years. The median age was lowest in Fiji (30 years), followed by CNMI (44 years), and Guam (49

years). Male and female cases have a similar median age (42.5 and 43 years).

Figure 1 – Pacific Epidemic Curve by Date of Notification (as at 10 July 2020)


2. Response activities under the JIMT

Finance and Administration Pillar

General Update

Facilitating the procurement of medical equipment outside of the COVID-19 Supply Chain

System based on country validation, at an estimated amount of USD $2.5 million.

Next Steps:

⎯ Seek to address funding gaps

⎯ Implementation of planned activities

⎯ Continued support to PICs for health sector preparedness and response

Health Operations and Technical Expertise Pillar

Technical Area Support Provided / Update

Infection

Prevention and

Control

Delivered virtual training on the rational use of PPE for environmental

health officers.

Laboratory Finalizing stock-take of alternative COVID-19 testing platforms in the

Pacific

Surveillance &

Epidemiology

Received and validating modelling reports for selected PICs produced

with support from Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.

Guidance note on contact tracing finalised and distributed

Training and

HEOC

Simulation exercise planning ongoing with Tuvalu and the Republic of

the Marshall Islands

Planned Activities

for the Upcoming

Week

IPC audit tool to be completed this week

Finalising evidence summary and analysis on non-pharmaceutical

interventions

Drafting guidance on the management of the entry and exit of vessels

and seafarers into PICs

Finalising new normal guidance documents covering 12 different

environmental settings e.g. workplaces and markets.

Reviewing additional needs across PICs on case management,

surveillance, laboratory and risk communication because of imminent

border re-opening and repatriation of citizens

Information and Planning Pillar

General Update

Developing the Phase 2 Health Sector Support Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

and common reporting templates together with involved agencies.

Analyzing testing data for visualization on the Pacific Case Dashboard.

Tracking the origin and destination of repatriation flights across the Pacific.


Operations Support and Logistics Pillar

Operational

Area

Support Provided / Update

Transportation

of Supplies

The final shipment of PPE under the Phase 1 distribution plan has been

received by Guam.

Guam received

Bag Biohazard 0

Bio Bottles 80

Body Bags 10

Chlorines 0

Face Shield 0

Gloves 8000

Goggles 80

Gowns 800

Hand Sanitizer 120

Masks N95 1800

Safety Boxes 50

Surgical Masks 10000

Swabs 0

Thermometers 0

Volume 2.682 m3

Weight 373.9 Kg

There is a potential extra cost of 25% for items manufactured in China

transiting by US territories.

A dashboard for the Phase 2 distribution is under development.

COVID-19

Supply Chain

System

The first wave of PPE is ready to be dispatched from China.

Fiji FSM Kiribati Nauru Palau Marshall

Islands

Face shield (piece) 29200 5000 5000 5000 5000 5000

Gloves (piece) 23000 10000 10000 10000 10000 10000

Goggles (piece) 2000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000

Gown (piece) 4000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000

Mask N95 (piece) 35000 10000 10000 10000 10000 10000

Surgical Mask

(piece) 56000 20000 30000 10000 10000 20000


Samoa Solomon

Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu

Face shield (piece) 5000 9300 5000 5000 5000

Gloves (piece) 10000 14000 10000 2000 10000

Goggles (piece) 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000

Gown (piece) 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000

Mask N95 (piece) 10000 12000 10000 5000 10000

Surgical Mask

(piece) 30000 30000 30000 10000 30000

The orders of patient monitoring systems and pulse oximeters are confirmed.

3. Links to Data Repositories, Dashboards and Situation Reports - External repository of COVID-19 guidance documents and technical materials adapted for the

Pacific context.

- Pacific COVID-19 Case Dashboard summarising the epidemiological situation in the Pacific

- Information regarding delivery of GeneXpert kits, please consult the logistics dashboard

- Information regarding the distribution of Phase 1 PPE, please consult the logistics dashboard

- Regular updates and details on the Pacific Air Transport Services from the Logistics Cluster

- WHO Academy and WHO Info mobile application for resources for health workers including

technical guidance, tools, training and virtual workshops

- WHO Global Situation Reports

- WHO COVID-19 Global Situation Dashboard

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BVv2pb7r72emUl82Apt-770mSu-w7uel

https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMTQwZmJmZjctMjkwMC00MThkLWI5NDgtNmQ3OGUwNDc4ZWE3IiwidCI6IjBmOWUzNWRiLTU0NGYtNGY2MC1iZGNjLTVlYTQxNmU2ZGM3MCIsImMiOjh9

https://datastudio.google.com/reporting/f0289bf1-19d7-4a04-a761-0648caa0ac2c/page/hSPNB?s=jPaGsjdcl2Q

https://datastudio.google.com/embed/reporting/443aa0a2-dc2d-4a76-b329-096113a1901d/page/EHdIB

https://logcluster.org/ops/pacific

https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/13-05-2020-launch-of-the-who-academy-and-the-who-info-mobile-applications

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/

https://covid19.who.int/


4. Highlight in Pictures

Figure 1: Household assessment for COVID-19 preparedness and readiness and hygiene kit distribution by ADRA Samoa

Figure 2: Training on screening and management of PUI's conducted in Samoa with a combination of presentations around the process and principles followed by practical skill stations

Figure 3: WHO and Partners provide support to Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Solomon Islands for the repatriation of citizens, long term residents and diplomats

Figure 4: Three-day training in Infection Prevention and Control as well as relevant Standard Operating Procedures for all Port of Entry front liners in Solomon Islands, supported by WHO

5. Agency Response Activities Regional Activities Agency

- Providing ongoing support to public health authorities concerning the implementation of COVID-19 communication strategies and

activities to help prepare and protect individuals, for vulnerable groups, families and the public's health during the response to

COVID-19.

IOM

- New Zealand has provided NZ$2 million to the WHO in support of the ‘WHO COVID-19 Pacific Health Sector Support (Phase II Plan).’ NZ MFAT

Fiji

Country specific needs and activities Agency

Preparedness and Response Activities

- USD 7.35 million for COVID-19 emergency response operation - approved by WB

WB

Kiribati



- USD 2.5 million for COVID-19 emergency response operation - approved by WB

WB

Marshall Islands, Republic of



- Met with tailors to provide production guidance for masks based on WHO’s mask guidance.

- IOM supported the Shelter Cluster with alternative care site assessments. In Ebeye, the Kan Team started COVID-19 awareness at

the gym, with ~200 in attendance. There is continued engagement with point of entry stakeholders to improve facilities at points

of entry.

IOM


- USD 2.5 million for COVID-19 emergency response operation – active

WB


Micronesia, Federated States of



- In Chuuk, COVID-19 outreach to 26 communities was coordinated along with the distribution of 25 handwashing stations - reaching

~195 people. In Yap, IOM is supporting training on the Akvo Flow app for a community survey. In Pohnpei, handwashing posters

in the local Pohnpeian language were provided to the State Election Commission.

IOM


- Maritime Investment Project Contingency Emergency Component (CERC) USD 2.5 million triggered to respond to critical needs for

COVID-19 response – Active

WB

Samoa



- USD $2.9 million COVID-19 emergency response operation – Effective

- USD $2.5 million Catastrophic Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO) disbursed

WB


- Conducting simulation exercises and training targeting nurses, doctors, cleaners, porters, and security guards on the screening of

and management of persons under investigation.

- Conducted a technical review and provided additional guidance for clinical department COVID-19 plans.

- Supported the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Women Community and Social Development in the community consultations for

village and household-readiness for COVID-19

WHO

Solomon Islands


Priority Needs

- The Government of Solomon Islands has identified a need to increase throughput on their RT-PCR and requested assistance to

identify and procure a suitable system for automation RNA extraction.

Australian

DFAT



- DFAT is providing expertise advice to the Solomon Islands on scaling up RT-PCR through a partnership with the Doherty

Institute/Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory (VIDRL).


- New Zealand has provided additional PPE, including 8000 gowns, 2000 aprons and 300 PCR testing cartridges to support the

repatriation of Solomon Island nationals.

NZ MFAT


- USD $15 million Development Policy Operation (DPO) approved to strengthen public financial management while enabling

government to meet costs of COVID-19 preparedness

WB


- Supported the coordination of the repatriation process of citizens, long term residents, and diplomats including developing

standard operating procedures and protocols, and training staff on the SOPs.

- Supported a training for all port of entry front line staff with focus on infection prevention and control (PPE donning and doffing,

physical distancing, and hand hygiene) and the associated SOPs

- Continuous technical assistance to strengthen daily reporting of influenza-like-illness and pneumonia so as to lower the threshold

to detect COVID-19.

WHO

Tonga



- Transport Project Contingency Emergency Component (CERC) USD $2.5 million triggered to respond to critical needs for COVID-

19 response (plus USD $400,000 IDA18) – Active

WB

Tuvalu



- Maritime Investment in Climate Resilient Operations Contingency Emergency Response Project (CERC) USD 2.5 million triggered to

respond to critical needs for COVID-19 response – Active

WB


Vanuatu



- USD 10 million Catastrophic Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO) – Disbursed

WB


- Repatriation and quarantine of over 1300 Ni-Vanuatu citizens or residents over the last 2 weeks. No COVID-19 confirmed cases in

Vanuatu as of 7 July 2020

WHO

Documents

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Compiled by: Health Sector