The Palau archipelago, in the Pacific, announced on Saturday August 21 the first cases of coronavirus, losing its rare status as a country free from Covid-19.
Two travelers, who tested positive after arriving from the island of Guam, were placed in quarantine along with the contact persons.
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"
We ask everyone to remain calm,
" the health ministry said in a statement after giving up on imposing lockdown. With more than 80% of the 18,000 residents fully vaccinated, President Surangel Whipps insisted the island nation remained "
safe
."
It is possible for a fully vaccinated person to be infected, but "
it will be like the flu or they will have no symptoms,
" he added. Until Saturday August 21, Palau was one of fourteen countries in the world to have recorded no cases of coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization. The Ministry of Health did not specify how many contact cases were in isolation, but a spokesperson told AFP that there was a priori no community transmission.
The infected travelers had tested negative 72 hours before their departure but tested positive in a mandatory test five days after arrival.
During this period, new visitors should wear masks and avoid crowds.
The archipelago, located a thousand km east of the Philippines, had closed its borders at the start of the pandemic, despite the serious repercussions for its economy which depends largely on tourism.
Read also Covid-19: record of contamination in the Philippines, which eases its restrictions
Palau had opened a "
bubble
"
in April
for travel with Taipei, closed a month later due to an outbreak of cases in Taiwan and then reopened last week, with unvaccinated tourists being vaccinated upon arrival.
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