New Caledonia renews Covid-19 measures
New Caledonia has extended the restrictions related to Covid-19 for another four weeks because of the spread of the Omicron variant.
Originally imposed in September because of the Delta outbreak, they were due to lapse at the end of last week.
Photo: AFP
They had been modified earlier this month, but will now remain in force until 27 February.
Meetings are still restricted to no more than 30 people, and mask wearing remains mandatory inside buildings for anyone aged 11 and older.
The last update, released on Friday, showed a further 740 new infections recorded in 24 hours.
There are 4623 active cases as the virus keeps spreading apace.
Five people are in intensive care.
Respiration illness outbreak in American Samoa
Health authorities in American Samoa has confirmed a respiration illness outbreak in the territory.
A health advisory says that tests conducted at the Health Department and LBJ Medical Center laboratories has confirmed positive cases of the highly contagious Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV.
RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms while most healthy people recover in a week or two it can be serious for infants and the elderly.
The Health Department advises that anyone with flu-like symptoms should should stay home until symptoms subside.
China will supply Samoa with PCR tests, if needed
China will supply Covid-19 rapid testing kits for Samoa in the event there is community transmission according to the Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa.
Fiame said currently there are no rapid testing kits for Covid-19 for the community's use.
China has stepped in to assist and will supply Covid-19 rapid testing kits.
The prime minister also pointed out three PCR tests of frontline workers, which all yielded negative results, means the virus has not leaked out into the community.
Covid-19 impacts AS Pirae travel
Tahiti's football team AS Pirae had to delay its departure for the FIFA Club World Cup because seven players tested positive for Covid-19.
The 16 who tested negative left for the tournament in Abu Dhabi a day late at the weekend.
The other seven hope to join them shortly, if retesting returns negative results.
Representing Oceania, Pirae will play opening match against hosts Al Jazira on Thursday.
The tournament, which includes Chelsea, is lucrative for the French Polynesian side, as even a loss will guarantee it half a million US dollars in prize money, some of which it must share with the OFC.
Municipal elections are being re-run in Arue, French Polynesia
Municipal elections are being re-run in the French Polynesian town Arue today after Paris annulled the 2020 victory of the new mayor.
France's highest court had ruled that 115 proxy votes cast for the winner, Teura Iriti, were fraudulent.
While two of her colleagues were declared ineligible, Ms Iriti is allowed to stand and is seeking re-election as mayor.
Declaring herself an apolitical candidate in 2020, she replaced veteran mayor Philip Schyle who was associated with the ruling Tapura Huiraatira Party.
The other two candidates in today's election are Leo Marais and Tepuanui Snow.
New Caledonia police investigate car accident
Police in New Caledonia are investigating a traffic accident which involved a pick-up truck carrying 17 people in its cargo bed.
Reports say seven people needed medical attention after a sharp braking manoeuvre led to a crash with a small car on Lifou.
The reports say the two vehicles had been racing each other.
Test results are being awaited to see if the drivers were under the influence of alcohol.