French Polynesia's main hospital has asked the French president Emmanuel Macron to show national solidarity and send more medical personnel to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak.
Extra beds in the hall of the Taaone Hospital in Papeete. Covid-19 seemed to have almost disappeared from Tahiti between March and July. But with the Delta variant, it returned with unprecedented violence, saturating the Tahiti hospital centre within a month. Photo: AFP or licensors
More than 400 coronavirus patients are in the territory's hospitals after a dramatic surge this month.
Almost 300 Covid-19 patients are in the main hospital in Papeete, with many others being cared for at home because there are no beds left. The hospital reported in mid-July that for the first time in almost a year there were no Covid-19 patients left.
Case numbers have exploded at a rate ten times faster than in mainland France. Although France and New Caledonia sent some personnel, the hospital says it needs reinforcements as infection rates remain high.
In a post, the hospital reminded Macron of his visit to the hospital in last month when he said they were all part of France and they would all be protected.
The French Polynesian president Edouard Fritch has meanwhile called on the public across the territory to observe September 5th with a fast to remember those who died of the pandemic that has spread to 45 islands.
A lockdown is now in its second week and vaccinations have been made compulsory for anyone working with the public.
Vaccinations have been continuing and almost half the population has had one jab.
While many organisations accept a new law making Covid-19 vaccinations compulsory for people in contact with the public, others have reservations.
The police union said it expects its members to get vaccinated while hospital staff unions say they were awaiting the outcome of a challenge of the law in Paris.
The port workers' union said it is for vaccinations but against them being compulsory, adding its members could strike and block the port.