Western Pacific: COVID-19 transmission continues across the Western Pacific region as of December 2020 /update 8

Event

Several countries and territories in the Western Pacific continue to report coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission. According to WHO data through Dec. 20, the following countries and territories in the Western Pacific have identified the indicated disease activity and/or confirmed COVID-19 cases:

No cases

• Macau SAR: 46 cases (Last case reported: Apr. 7)

• Vanuatu: 1 case (Last case reported: Dec. 13)

Sporadic cases

• French Polynesia: 16,410 cases*

• Cambodia: 363 cases

• Brunei Darussalam: 152 cases

• Fiji: 46 cases**

• Laos: 41 cases

• New Caledonia: 38 cases

• Solomon Islands: 17 cases

• Marshall Islands: 4 cases

• Wallis and Futuna: 4 cases

Clusters of cases

• Japan: 200,658 cases*

• Malaysia: 98,737 cases*

• Singapore: 58,482 cases

• South Korea: 52,550 cases*

• Australia: 28,237 cases*

• Hong Kong SAR: 8,354 cases**

• Guam: 7,257 cases*

• New Zealand: 2,128 cases*

• Vietnam: 1,420 cases

• Taiwan: 776 cases*

Community transmission

• Philippines: 464,004 cases*

• Papua New Guinea: 761 cases

Pending

• Northern Mariana Islands: 116 cases

*As of Dec. 20, active cases in the country are increasing.

Context

Officials may add further cases to this list at any time as disease surveillance and testing continues.

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission does occur, primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms.

Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel.

Advice

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

WHO coronavirus knowledge base
WHO: Public health considerations while resuming international travel
US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces
US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress