The Tonga government is reporting a total of 1,819 active covid cases and 2 covid deaths in the country.

Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni announced the new figures in a zoom media conference today attended by three of his ministers: Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei, Health Minister Saia Piukala, Minister for Justice & Prisons Samiu Vaipulu, and Health CEO Siale 'Akau'ola.

Hu'akavameiliku said that 90 percent of Tonga's eligible population had been double vaccinated, 98 percent had recieved their first vaccination, and 47 percent had recieved their booster.

The Prime Minister is currently in self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19.

Several of his ministers are also in self-isolation for being close contacts.

Definition of Covid Deaths

Health CEO Siale 'Akau'ola said that the Health Ministry was working to define Tonga's official meaning of "covid death".

He said that three people who had recently passed away had tested positive for Covid-19 but were not yet defined as covid deaths because their deaths were attributed to other illnesses.

'Akau'ola stated that the definition of covid deaths differed between Pacific Island countries, New Zealand and the World Health Organisation.

Greater Lockdown Restrictions

Hu'akavameiliku announced Tonga would go into a "hard" lockdown with greater restrictions to be enforced at 5am on Sunday.

All businesses including retail and petrol stations were to be closed for a week.

The public, exempting essential health workers, would only be allowed to venture out between 8am and 8pm to go to health facilities and tend plantations.

A written public notice outlining all of the new restrictions is expected to be circulated to the media by this evening.