Quarantine rules easing in Niue
Niue is easing its MIQ protocols from May 2.
Instead of staying in managed isolation facilities government approved travellers will be able to self-isolate at home or in accommodation for seven days while continuing testing.
Niue is one of the only countries in the world that has not detected Covid-19 in the community.
There has been a handful of cases at the Niue border since March this year and Premier Dalton Tagelagi says this next step is to safely open the country again.
99.4 percent of the Niue population 12 and over has been vaccinated.
Northern Marianas Covid-19 spread at all-time low
The Covid-19 community spread in the Northern Marianas was declared as 'low'.
Covid-19 testing at the former Mariana Resort & Spa Saipan Photo: Mark Rabago
The lowering of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention metric follows the decline in Covid-19 cases and about 60 percent of those fully vaccinated have received a booster shot.
Since April 4, a total of 11,158 cases have been reported in the island group, with one in five citizens estimated to have contracted the disease.
Under the Covid-19 community level of low, wearing a mask is optional, but recommended for those who are immunocompromised or have a high risk for severe disease.
State of emergency over mass resignation
The Federated States of Micronesia President David Panuelo has declared an emergency in response to the mass resignation of doctors and nurses at Yap State Hospital.
Panuelo has directed the National Task Force to assist Yap in emergency hiring of medical personnel and explore the possibility of bringing back the doctors and nurses.
Thirty-nine doctors and nurses resigned from the state hospital last week after their attempts to negotiate with state leaders were rejected.
Health care workers in Yap, who are paid lowest salaries in Micronesia, sought to negotiate a benefits package and pay raises.
The president issued the new emergency directive while Micronesia remains under a coronavirus-related public health emergency status until May 31.
One case of Covid -19 in Wallis and Futuna
One new case of Covid-19 was detected in the French territory of Wallis and Futuna.
The case arrived from New Caledonian on a flight last Thursday and was detected while the person was in self-isolation in a local quanrantine hotel on Wallis island.
Passengers on the flight were asked to self-isolate for an additional three days on top of three days required upon entry.
This is the first Covid-19 case recorded in the territory since March 21 last year.
There has been a total of 454 cases of Covid-19 and seven Covid-19 related deaths recorded since the start of the pandemic.
Sixty percent of the population have received two doses and 46 percent have received their third shot of the vaccine.
New Zealand man dies while sailing in the Marquesas Islands
A New Zealand sailor has died during a sailing trip with his wife in the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia.
The man, who was 70, died of a heart attack during an inter-island crossing.
The man's wife called for help and was picked up by an inter-island crossing boat.
The body of the man and his wife were being taken to Nuku Hiva, the largest of the Marquesas Islands.
Falcons overcome spirited Hunters effort
The PNG Hunters have gone down 22-8 to the Sunshine Coast Falcons in a fierce rugby league Hostplus Cup contest.
The PNG Hunters have gone down 22-8 to the Sunshine Coast Falcons in a fierce rugby league Hostplus Cup contest.
Papua New Guinea Hunters coach Matt Church. Photo: Supplied
The Hunters threatened to narrow the lead on a few occasions as they chased a second-half comeback.
Hunters coach Matthew Church said there were clear signs of development within the playing squad despite the result.
He said they completed much better and gave themselves a chance to influence the result.
Church said if the team sticks to its systems and continue improving each week, the results will come.
The PNG Hunters next face Burleigh Bears in their Anzac Day match.
