A small island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean has remained untouched by the coronavirus pandemic — until now.
Vanuatu confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health said the case is a 23-year-old man who had returned to the archipelago nation on Nov. 4, after traveling to the United States. He tested positive during a routine screening on the fifth day of quarantine.
The man, who hasn’t shown any symptoms, will remain in isolation until health clearance is provided, according to the health ministry.
“Physical distancing and personal protection measures were applied and maintained during the flight, throughout the arrival process, during transport to and during registration at the quarantine facility,” the ministry said in a press release. “The person had been identified during pre-travel registration as traveling from a higher-risk location, therefore was seated separately at the back of the plane and was screened and transported separately from other arriving passengers. The case did not share a room with anyone else at the quarantine facility and is reported to have adhered to all appropriate measures throughout the travel and quarantine process.”
