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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson

Covid outbreaks in Samoa and Vanuatu chip away at Pacific islands’ virus-free status

health workers in masks in Samoa
Samoa reported its first case of community transmission last week, and hundreds of Covid infections have now been detected on the island. Photograph: Chikara Yoshida/Getty Images

Covid outbreaks in Samoa and Vanuatu have further whittled down the number of Pacific island nations that have so far escaped the pandemic, as case numbers surge after the first instances of community transmission in both countries.

Tuvalu, Nauru and Micronesia are now the only remaining Pacific island countries that have not recorded any cases of the virus, according to the World Health Organization.

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