Western Pacific: COVID-19 transmission continues across the Western Pacific region as of February 2021 /update 9

Event

Several countries and territories in the Western Pacific continue to report coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission in early 2021. According to WHO data through Feb. 8, the following countries and territories in the Western Pacific have identified disease activity and/or confirmed COVID-19 cases:

No cases

• Macau SAR: 46 cases (The last case reported: Apr. 7, 2020)

• Solomon Islands: 17 cases (The last case reported: Dec. 27, 2020)

• Marshall Islands: 4 cases (The last case reported: Dec. 27, 2020)

• Vanuatu: 1 case (The last case reported: Dec. 13, 2020)

Sporadic cases

• Singapore: 59,721 cases**

• Australia: 28,860 cases

• French Polynesia: 18,185 cases*

• Cambodia: 474 cases*

• Brunei Darussalam: 181 cases

• Fiji: 56 cases

• New Caledonia: 49 cases

• Laos: 45 cases

• Wallis and Futuna: 9 cases*

Clusters of cases

• Japan: 406,766 cases

• Malaysia: 245,552 cases*

• South Korea: 81,487 cases

• Hong Kong SAR: 10,696 cases

• Guam: 7,442 cases

• New Zealand: 2,322 cases

• Vietnam: 2,053 cases*

• Taiwan: 933 cases

Community transmission

• Philippines: 538,995 cases

• Papua New Guinea: 895 cases

Pending

• Northern Mariana Islands: 133 cases

*As of Feb. 7, active cases in the country are increasing.

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

Context

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
New England Journal of Medicine: COVID-19 FAQs