Tonga reports its first-ever COVID-19 case

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Young men play a game of rugby at sunset in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, on April 10, 2019. The island nation of Tonga has reported its first-ever case of COVID-19 on Oct. 29, 2021 after a traveler from New Zealand tested positive.





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Tonga’s Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa said in a radio address that the traveler was among 215 passengers who had arrived on a flight from the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Wednesday and had been isolating at a quarantine hotel.





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A pig wonders around a house in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, on April 7, 2019. Tonga on Friday reported its first-ever case of COVID-19 after a returning resident caught the virus while in New Zealand.





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Tongan Health Ministry chief executive Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola said it was unfortunate the plane had already left Christchurch before the news came of the community cases there, Matangi Tonga reported.

‘Akau’ola said all frontline workers including health staff, police officers and airport staff who were on duty when the plane arrived had also been put into quarantine after the positive case was confirmed. He added that all those working near the flight had been vaccinated.

Located northeast of New Zealand, Tonga is home to about 106,000 people. About 31% of Tongans are fully vaccinated and 48% have had at least one dose, according to research group Our World in Data.