Covid-19 in Fiji: 14 deaths, 32 new cases; PNG Covid-19 deaths in capital underestimated; Date for Bougainville by-election moved; Supreme Court Justice in Samoa expresses concern at state of juvenile facility

Covid-19 in Fiji: 14 deaths, 32 new cases

Fiji has reported 14 deaths and 32 new cases of Covid-19.

The Government also confirmed on Monday the deaths were recorded during August 6th and September 19th this year

Of the latest cases, 7 were recorded last Saturday, 5 on Sunday and 20 on Monday.

Fiji now has a total of 695 active cases in isolation and 694 deaths, with 692 of them from the latest outbreak that began in April this year.

PNG Covid-19 deaths in capital underestimated

A senior Papua New Guinea health official says Covid-19 deaths in Port Moresby have been underestimated.

Port Moresby General Hospital's director of medical services Dr Kone Sobi said around 200 Covid-19 deaths have so far been recorded at the hospital in the current third wave of the pandemic.

But the National newspaper reports him saying there were many more deaths out in the community where tests were not conducted on corpses because families did not agree to them.

As with the second wave of the coronavirus, which peaked in April, many health workers became infected with Covid.

Dr Sobi said PNG needs to take precautionary measures so that future outbreaks do not take the toll experienced in this third wave.

Date for Bougainville by-election moved

The Bougainville Electoral Commissioner has moved the date for the beginning of the Atolls by-election to next Monday.

The poll is to find a replacement for former Health Raymond Masono, who died in April.

It was to have been held on November 11th but the fortnight long lockdown to combat the spread of Covid-19 meant this date couldn't work.

The lockdown is due to finish this Sunday 21st November.

The poll will run for three days, until 24th November.

Supreme Court Justice in Samoa expresses concern at state of juvenile facility

Samoa Supreme Court Justice, Vui Clarence Nelson, has expressed concern at the state of the facility housing teenage offenders.

After a judicial party visited Tanumalala Prison Justice Nelson said they made suggestions to the Ministry of Police and Prisons of the need for a less restrictive facility for the teenagers.

On a previous visit Justice Nelson said the inmates looked like "caged animals," who were forced to sleep on the floor.

He said conditions have improved but they made suggestions for educational programs and a more suitable building.

Deputy Commissioner, Leiataua Samuel Afamasaga said the teenagers don't interact with adult prisoners.

At the moment there are three juveniles at Tanumalala.

The deputy commissioner also said they are considering building a new facility within Tanumalala prison.

Prominent Bougainville leader dies

Bougainville has lost another of its prominent political leaders of the past 16 years with the passing of Joseph Watawi on Monday.

Mr Watawi served in the first three parliaments in the autonomous Papua New Guinea region.

He was vice president to the first leader of the ABG, Joseph Kabui, and later was minister of trade under James Tanis.

In that role he was responsible for Bougainville's first copra mill being built.

Mr Watawi was also heavily involved in the preparations for the referendum in 2019 and the ongoing post referendum process.