As I understand the local situation to be the transmission of Covid infection began in Honiara and, so far, it appears the majority of infections remain in Honiara, but the MHMS has sent a large supply of rapid antigen test kits to all nine provinces to try and determine how many outside Honiara might be suffering from the Covid virus, known in Honiara to be of the Delta highly transferrable variant.
I know the MHHS and the government is active in pursuing the rules and protocols to bring the pandemic outbreak under control but perhaps some more basic advice on the pandemic and controlling it needs to be raised for public advice.
COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. In some circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch. People who are closer than 6 feet from the infected person are most likely to get infected.
COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:
· Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
· Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
· Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.
Viruses are constantly changing, including the virus that causes COVID-19. These changes occur over time and can lead to the emergence of variants that may have new characteristics. Vaccines continue to reduce a person's risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccines are highly effective against severe illness.
Protect Yourself and Others
Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do NOT have symptoms.
Important Ways to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
· Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can when the government re-opens new vaccine centres in Honiara which were closed a day or so ago because of crowding at those centres by citizens who had not previously taken advice to get themselves vaccinated prior to the transmission of the Delta virus reaching Honiara
· Wear a well-fitting mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
· Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
· Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
· Get tested to prevent spread to others.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
If one has been told to self isolate at home, I wrote most recently on the best ways this should be done and the basic rules to be followed and I hope the letter brought some general guidance to all those staying indoors to prevent the further transmission of the Covid virus.
My final message is to get yourself vaccinated just as soon as it becomes possible to do so. Vaccination offers the best way to void off getting Covid-19 and stopping the wider transmission to others of the pandemic.
The ways to prevent the Covid spread require discipline and strict adherence to the laid down rules and protocols, not always easy when self isolating at home in the circumstances which prevail in many homes in the Solomon Islands due to shared accommodation with larger families and perhaps wantoks, but unless the preventatives rules are kept then the Covid virus will continue to spread, more will become sick and those with pre-existing weak immune systems and those suffering from a range of NCD illnesses most at risk.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
