MAJURO — Two of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia on Tuesday reported their first community spread of Covid since the pandemic began in early 2020, ending the country’s status as one of a handful of Covid-free countries globally.
After two college students who returned earlier this week to Kosrae from the capital Pohnpei tested positive for Covid on Monday, health authorities tested 11 family members in their household to find 10 were positive, according to a statement released Tuesday by the FSM President’s Office.
Kosrae health authorities report that on Monday, “lots of patients with flu-like symptoms” came to the local hospital for treatment. But since this was before the positive tests became known, none were tested. Once they began testing Tuesday, 25 of 28 patients seeking treatment for flu-like symptoms at Kosrae’s hospital tested positive.
On Tuesday, Pohnpei authorities confirmed seven positive cases and said this marked the state’s first community spread. State authorities immediately called on the public to avoid public gatherings and to wear face masks at all time, but also advised that “all public services will remain open” with the requirement of face mask use.
The FSM national government last April announced plans to end the requirement of managed quarantine for all people traveling to the four FSM states effective August 1.
“This is a rapidly evolving situation and the information within this release should be assumed to be out of date upon its publication,” said the FSM President’s Office in announcing the dozens of confirmed cases in both Kosrae and Pohnpei.
In response to the community spread of Covid, Yap state — which is nearly 1,400 miles (2,250km) to the west of Pohnpei — announced Tuesday that the passengers and crew of a government maritime surveillance vessel that arrived in Yap Tuesday were placed in government isolation units as a precaution. Results of their Covid tests were not immediately available.
The Covid spread in the FSM leaves the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu as the last two Pacific nations to maintain Covid-free status. The Marshall Islands last week announced plans to open its borders to quarantine-free travel beginning October 1.
This file photo shows the gymnasium at the College of Micronesia in Pohnpei, capital of the Federated States of Micronesia, which has confirmed its first cases of community spread of Covid in Pohnpei and Kosrae. Pohnpei authorities called for residents to avoid public gatherings and wear face masks.
