Covid Pandemic

French Polynesia hit by 6th wave of Covid pandemic

81 new cases were recorded in the latest reporting week, marking a further rise of infections which shows the persistence of the virus reports RNZ Pacific.

Most cases are in the Society Islands but one in the Marquesas Islands was so serious, the patient had to be flown to the main hospital in Tahiti.

A total of three people with Covid-19 were reported to be in hospital, but none in intensive care.

People considered to be at particular risk are advised to keep up with the recommended vaccinations.

 

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Westpac bounces back from pandemic with $583m six-month profit

The bank's half year cash profit for the six months ended March was $583 million, or 98 percent up on last year's $297m.

The bank said a stronger than expected recovery in business and the impact of government support measures resulted in a big drop in the amount set aside for bad and doubtful debts, with the bank writing back $99m, against last year's $211m.

Cisco says computer chip shortage to last six months

Many firms have seen production delayed because of a lack of semiconductors, triggered by the Covid pandemic and exacerbated by other factors.

Cisco chief Chuck Robbins told the BBC: "We think we've got another six months to get through the short term.

"The providers are building out more capacity. And that'll get better and better over the next 12 to 18 months."

That expansion of capacity will be crucial as advances in technology - including 5G, cloud computing, the internet of things and artificial intelligence - drive a big increase in demand.

Samoa's pandemic response gets a boost

Japan said its support would strengthen Samoa's vaccine cold chain.

Japanese ambassador to Samoa, Genichi Terasawa, said Tokyo was committed to assisting Apia's preparatory and response efforts to the pandemic.

Terasawa said with UNICEF Pacific's support on the ground, Japan could also provide transportation to ensure the vaccination rollout gets underway smoothly in Samoa.