Micronesia, a small state located in the Pacific, has ceased to be one of the few countries free of Covid-19.
Two of its islands have recently recorded several cases of contamination.
In addition to a few immediately isolated border cases, the Federated States of Micronesia had so far escaped the coronavirus pandemic.
A chance allowed by their geographical location, the territories being located about 1,600 km from Papua New Guinea.
Lifting of restrictions on August 1
But two students from the island of Pohnpei (capital of Micronesia) tested positive when they arrived on the island of Kosrae in mid-July.
The health authorities then confirmed 10 other positive cases in the entourage of the two young people.
The situation is "evolving rapidly" and dozens of other cases have since been identified in Pohnpei and Kosrae, according to a statement released Tuesday.
Our dossier on Covid-19
A hospital in Kosrae has since announced that 25 of 28 patients with flu-like symptoms tested positive for Covid-19.
The authorities therefore discouraged public gatherings and advised the wearing of masks, specifying that “all public services would remain open”.
With this spread of the virus in Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu remain the last two Pacific countries spared by Covid-19.
Micronesia will lift border health restrictions on August 1, provided visitors show full vaccination and a negative test result.
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