More deaths due to covid in PNG; thousands want to go back to covid-ravaged Fiji; taxpayers' information dished out online
Death toll in PNG rises again
Papua New Guinea has recorded two more covid-19 deaths, bringing the nation's total to 167.
The death of a 72-year-old male and a 60-year-old female - both with underlying co-morbidities - are bieng reported as first recorded deaths on Manus Island.
With eight new cases the total number of cases now stands at 16,800.
To date, 129,533 people have been tested for COVID-19.
Fijians desperate to go home
Fiji's government says 9067 people have registered to return home despite the surge in covid cases there.
The registration for domestic repatriation is underway since the government announced the move last month.
Photo: Facebook / Fiji Government
This includes 647 people from the Eastern Division, 4758 from the Central Division, 1584 from the Northern Division, and 2078 from the Western Division.
The government says only registered individuals will be allowed to travel to ensure the safe movement amid the pandemic.
Fiji now has over 1,000 active cases in isolation.
Confidential rubbish removed illegally
The Samoa Ministry of Customs and Revenue has asked Police to investigate the illegal removal of what it's describing as "confidential rubbish" from a disposal site.
Chief Executive Officer Matafeo Avalisa Viali-Fautua'alii says confidential waste documents containing taxpayers' information have been widely publicised on social media.
Matafeo says the waste bags were sent to be disposed of at the Tafaigata landfill a week ago.
She denies the documents were found on the roadside as has been claimed on Facebook.
Matafeo says such a breach can result in a fine and imprisonment.
Charges for vaccination ID card
The Cook Islands Ministry of Health, Te Marae Ora, wants people to pay 50 New Zealand dollars for a vaccination ID card and a 15 dollar fee for a vaccination certificate.
The Cook Islands News reports this will provide proof a person is vaccinated against Covid-19.
Te Marae Ora says the service would be for people wanting proof they are vaccinated.
The Health Minister, Rose Toki-Brown, has told parliament it remains a proposal but it shouldn't impose a burden.
Half the population have now received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
But Cook Islands News reports Te Marae Ora is concerned that some people not returning for that second dose.