KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — Palau’s sixth Covid-19-related fatality was a woman who was over 60 years old. She passed away at the Belau National Hospital.
All of Palau’s Covid-19-related deaths occurred this month and all victims were over 50 years of age with underlying conditions.
Three had received their vaccine but not the booster shot. Two were not vaccinated. The vaccination status of the sixth fatality was not available as of press time.
Palau’s Non-Communicable Disease Hybrid Survey indicated that 22.2% of adults had diabetes and 36% were almost there (prediabetic). This means that half of Palau’s adult population are at risk of severe Covid-19 effects, health authorities said.
Based on the recent Ministry of Health report, there were a total of 100 new cases, 820 total active cases, 15 hospitalizations, 2,743 recoveries, and 3,563 cumulative cases since August 2021.
Of those hospitalized, seven were admitted for Covid-related symptoms, while eight were admitted for other causes but had tested positive for Covid-19.
Travel to the Philippines
In other news, Palau has been added to the list of countries whose Covid-19 vaccine certificates are recognized by the Philippines.
Without an accepted Covid-19 vaccine certificate, a person traveling from Palau to the Philippines will be required to quarantine in a government-designated hotel at the traveler’s expense.
Now, travelers from Palau to the Philippines with valid vaccine certificates will no longer be required to undergo quarantine.
This acceptance is reciprocal, said Palau Health Minister Gaafar Uherbelau, adding that travelers from the Philippines with a vaccine certificate issued by the Philippines will not be quarantined in Palau.
Palau has been requesting United Airlines to resume the flight service between Palau and the Philippines, Palau Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries Charles Obichang said at a press conference.
The lifting of quarantine requirements is expected to boost the demand for travel to the Philippines.
