More than a thousand people fully vaccinated against Covid in French Polynesia; Vanuatu hit by second quake; a Customs Officer in Samoa appears on drug charges and more.
Photo: AFP
A thousand now fully vaccinated in French Polynesia
More than a thousand people in French Polynesia have now received both doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.
The jab requires two shots 21 days apart.
Those who have received their first dose now exceeds 4600.
The jab is being rolled out to frontline workers, the elderly and those with vulnerabilities on both Tahiti and Moorea.
It is not available on other islands due to cold storage and transport issues.
There are 73 active cases in the French territory including 30 new ones in the last three days, bringing the total to 18,293.
Fifteen people are in hospital including six in intensive care.
Repatriation prayers held in Pago
A prayer service was held in American Samoa this morning for the 159 people repatriated to the territory.
The group had spent 14 days in quarantine at the Tradewinds hotel. This followed 12 days of quarantine at a hotel in Honolulu before arriving in the territory, on 1 February.
The Reverend Elder, Keneti Faiai, who led the prayer service said they didn't want to be like the group of lepers who didn't return to give thanks to Jesus for returning their lives back to normal and reuniting them with their families.
The reverend said they met as strangers and have become a family.
The repatriated group, which included Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga's wife Ella and three Cabinet members, presented traditional gifts to show their appreciation to the Governor, the Lt Governor and directors who were heavily involved in the repatriation effort.
The next repatriation flight is scheduled for 10 March .
Vanuatu hit by aftershocks
Vanuatu has been hit by another earthquake just before midday local time, measuring 5.8 on the richter scale.
The local Geo-Hazards Department says the tremor was centred west of Port Vila at a depth of around 37km.
The department said it was one of a number of aftershocks from a previous 5.3 earthquake felt early on Monday morning.
There have been no reports of damage but staff from the department said it was strong enough to shake buildings.
Samoan Customs Officer appears in court
A 32 year old Customs Officer in Samoa, Pu'eleo Sefululua Peseta, has appeared in court on charges relating to the importation of 900 grams of methamphetamine.
The drugs were found wrapped inside cereal boxes from California.
The defendant is understood to be a customs border control team member and appeared in the Supreme Court yesterday for the first time since his arrest more than two weeks ago.
He has not entered a plea as the prosecution has yet to finalise charges against him but his defense has filed a bail application which is scheduled to be heard next Monday.
Meanwhile, police are also investigating his possible involvement with the importation of two plastic containers of food stuffs from California in December in which methamphetamine and cannabis were found.
American Samoa receives grant for vaccination sites
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted American Samoa $US3.4 million to open two vaccination sites.
Funds will reimburse expenses for medical and support staff; personal protective equipment; costs required to store, handle, transport and administer vaccines; and efforts to share public information regarding vaccinations.
FEMA's Public Assistance programme will provide the initial $3.4 million of the $6.8 million expedited project.
Additional funding will be reimbursed upon submission of documentation supporting further expenditures.
Cook Islands has new Public Service Commissioner
The Cook Islands will see a new Public Service Commissioner begin his three-year appointment today.
Carl Hunter replaces Russell Thomas, who was retiring after almost nine years in the role.
Hunter is a senior public servant who spent the last seven years at Rarotonga Welding and Steel Construction.
He also spent 25 years working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
The Public Service Commissioner is appointed by the Queen's Representative on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
The role of the Public Service Commissioner is to promote and implement policies and practices that support good governance across the public sector.
