Pacific / French Polynesia

French Polynesia Covid-19 outbreak slows

10:42 am on 18 January 2021

The second wave of Covid-19 is ebbing in French Polynesia as daily infection rates have dropped to below 100.

The latest figure is 46 new cases in a day.

Since August more than 17,000 cases have been recorded and 126 people have died.

Photo: 123rf.com

Vaccines are now being rolled out to help stem the pandemic.

As of last week, the number of Covid-19 patients in hospital dropped to 33, of whom 16 are in intensive care.

In the first wave last year, French Polynesia had 62 Covid-19 cases and eliminated the virus, but to boost tourism the border was reopened in July and the mandatory quarantine requirements were dropped,

A curfew remains in force in Tahiti, while a ban on cockfights and bingo sessions continues.