COVID-19

Coronavirus: Prince Charles out of self-isolation

Prince Charles, 71, spent seven days self-isolating in Scotland after testing positive and displaying mild symptoms.

The Duchess of Cornwall, 72, was tested and did not have the virus, but will self-isolate until the end of the week.

A Palace official said the prince was in good health and was following the government's restrictions.

"Clarence House has confirmed today that, having consulted with his doctor, the Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation," a spokesman said.

Vital medical supplies arrive in Samoa

Samoa Observer reports Samoa Airways confirmed flying to Australia on Monday to repatriate over 80 Australian and Japanese citizens who had been caught there after the enforced Covid-19 border closures.

It returned to Samoa early Tuesday morning carrying medical supplies, including hand sanitisers, asthma medication, wraps and masks.

An airline spokeswoman told the newspaper that the flight crew will now face a 14-day quarantine period.

The country still awaits the arrival of test kits to help diagnose for coronavirus locally.

Tahiti confirms another Covid-19 case

One of the carriers is in hospital care.

The latest update shows that for three consecutive days there has been an increase of the tally by just one.

All cases are in Tahiti and Moorea.

The first case was recorded three weeks ago.

     

Fiji and the contractual dilemmas caused by the postponed Tokyo Games

Last week’s announcement that the Olympics have been delayed a year has caused the sevens coach an unexpected headache, and the problem extends to his squad as a number of players had planned to take up lucrative deals in 15s rugby – most notably in America’s enlarged Major League Rugby – after the Olympic Games.

The lure of Olympic gold will now force these players to look again at those club contracts and decide if they want to remain part of the Fijian sevens squad as it attempts to repeat the glory it won at the 2016 Games in Rio. 

WHO says people in Pacific should be prepared for long-term battle

Takeshi Nakai warns the epidemic is far from over and people should be prepared for a long-term battle.

However, Dr Nakai said countries in Asia show there are successful ways of slowing the spread of the pandemic.

He said these include finding, isolating and testing cases early.

Dr Nakai said tracing and quarantining contacts quickly as well as stopping physical interaction is also proven to help.

ARU stands down staff

The staff will be stood down from April 1-June 30 and remaining staff had been offered "significant" pay-cuts or reduced hours.

"Today we have had to deliver the hardest news imaginable to our incredible, hard-working and passionate staff, that many of them will be stood down for a three-month period so that the game can survive this unprecedented crisis," RA Chief Executive Raelene Castle said in a statement.

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo diagnosed with coronavirus; he will continue working from home

He is feeling well, and will continue to anchor his 9 p.m. program "Cuomo Prime Time" from his home.

"In these difficult times that seem to get more difficult and complicated by the day, I just found out that I am positive for coronavirus," Cuomo wrote in a message on Twitter.

"I have been exposed to people in recent days who have subsequently tested positive and I had fevers, chills and shortness of breath," he wrote. "I just hope I didn't give it to the kids and Cristina. That would make me feel worse than this illness!"

UNDP seeking unprecedented COVID-19 support for vulnerable countries

Income losses are expected to exceed $220 billion in developing countries, and nearly half of all jobs in Africa could be lost. With an estimated 55 per cent of the global population having no access to social protection, these losses will reverberate across societies, impacting education, human rights and, in the most severe cases, basic food security and nutrition.

Two more Covid-19 cases in Guam

Guam is one of the few Pacific locations to currently conduct its own testing.

The local Governor's Press Secretary, Krystal Paco-San Agustin, announced the results of the latest batch of samples.

"We have an additional two positive confirmed cases of Covid-19. Guam Public Health Lab tested 20 samples, two returned positve, 18 came back negative.

"That brings our total Covid count to 58 cases of Covid-19 here in island. That includes one death and seven recoveries."

COVID-19 the final straw as USA Rugby files for bankruptcy

The current suspension of sanctioned rugby activities caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the existing financial challenges facing the Union, and a reorganization process will now be progressed with input from World Rugby.