The Governor of the CNMI tests positive for Covid-19
The governor of the Northern Marianas Ralph Torres has tested positive for Covid-19.
Mr Torres confirmed his condition yesterday but assured the people of the CNMI he's in good spirits and hasn't experienced any symptoms.
He says a family member, who he had been in close-contact with had tested positive for Covid-19, prompting him to take Covid-19 test on Sunday the result of which came back positive for covid.
The governor said the postive result comes after he had tested negative three consecutive times, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Ralph Torres said he will continue to dispense his responsibilities as head of the Commonwealth while in isolation.
Reports in Samoa that two people left MIQ
Samoa's National Emergency Operation Committee remain quiet on reports that two people, a nurse and a government driver left managed isolation to go and get money from an atm.
According to Committee officials, who asked not to be named, the incident happened last Saturday.
Our correspondent said repeated efforts to get comments from the acting committee chair were unsuccessful.
The Director General, Leausa Dr Take Naseri would also not comment when approached by Radio Polynesia last night.
Samoa has 30 positive cases of Covid-19 in MIQ.
Low vaccination rates in PNG a concern
New variants of Covid-19 could emerge from Pacific region.
New Zealand epidemiologist Michael Baker said Papua New Guinea has some of the lowest vaccination rates in the world with only three percent of the population fully vaccinated.
Professor Baker said the last two variants - Delta and Omicron emerged in India and Africa within large populations with low vaccine numbers.
"Papua New Guinea about 9 million people living with low vaccine coverage, and many people living with chronic immunosuppressive illnesses. It's quite conceivable we could see a new variant emerge there," he said.
Michael Baker said Pacific nations with small populations do not present the threat of a new Covid-19 variant.
Cook Islands has a new Ombudsman
Niki Rattle has been sworn in as the Cook Island's new Ombudsman.
She has been the Speaker of Parliament for nine years.
The Tukao Manikhiki native is also a registered nurse and was Head of the Red Cross in the Cook Islands for 18 years
Cook Islands new Ombudsman, Niki Rattle Photo: RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox
In her time as Speaker of the House, Mrs Rattle served as an officer of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association including training and mentoring new Commonwealth Parliamentary Speakers; and also was the Chairperson of the Small Branches of 42 Legislatures up to the
end of her role as Speaker.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Brown acknowledged the contribution Mrs Rattle has already made to the Cook Islands and his confident that she will perform well in this new role.
Cook Islands football will head to Qatar
The Cook Islands has earned a direct entry into the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament in Qatar next month after Tonga pulled out following the large volcanic eruption and tsunami which struck on 15 January.
The national team was scheduled to play Tonga in the qualifiers match for a place in the group stage of the competition.
The Cook Islands will now get a chance to play against Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu.