COVID-19 pandemic in French Polynesia

The COVID-19 pandemic was confirmed to have reached the French overseas collectivity of French Polynesia in March 2020. As of 17 April, cases are confined to Tahiti and Moorea.[3]

COVID-19 pandemic in French Polynesia
Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Location	French Polynesia
Index case	Tahiti
Arrival date	11 March 2020 (5 months and 5 days ago)
Confirmed cases	166[1]
Recovered	65[2]
Deaths	0

Background

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[4][5]

The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[6][7] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[8][6]

Timeline

COVID-19 cases in French Polynesia  ()      Deaths        Recoveries        Active cases Mar Mar Apr Apr May May Jun Jun Jul Jul Aug Aug Last 15 days Last 15 days
Date			# of cases
2020-03-11		​	1(n.a.)
2020-03-12		​	3(+200%)
2020-03-18		​	6(+100%)
2020-03-19		​	11(+83%)
2020-03-20		​	15(+36%)
2020-03-21		​	17(+13%)
2020-03-22		​	18(+5.9%)
2020-03-23		​	23(+28%)
2020-03-24		​	25(+8.7%)
2020-03-25		​	25(=)
2020-03-26		​	30(+20%)
2020-03-28		​	34(+13%)
2020-03-29		​	35(+2.9%)
2020-03-30		​	36(+2.9%)
2020-03-31		​	37(+2.8%)
2020-04-03		​	39(+5.4%)
2020-04-04		​	40(+2.6%)
2020-04-05		​	41(+2.5%)
2020-04-06		​	42(+2.4%)
2020-04-07		​	47(+12%)
2020-04-08		​	51(+8.5%)
2020-04-12		​	53(+3.9%)
2020-04-13		​	55(+3.8%)
2020-04-18		​ ​	55(=)
2020-04-21		​ ​	55(=)
2020-04-23		​ ​	56(+1.8%)
2020-04-24		​ ​	57(+1.8%)
2020-04-26		​ ​	57(=)
2020-04-27		​ ​	58(+1.8%)
2020-04-30		​ ​	58(=)
2020-05-04		​ ​	58(=)
2020-05-05		​ ​	60(+3.4%)
2020-05-06		​ ​	60(=)
2020-05-07		​ ​	60(=)
2020-05-12		​ ​	60(=)
2020-05-14		​ ​	60(=)
2020-05-18		​	60(=)
2020-06-26		​ ​	62(+3.3%)
2020-06-30		​	62(=)
2020-07-29		​	62(=)
2020-08-04		​ ​	64(+3.2%)
2020-08-10		​ ​	112(+75%)
2020-08-12		​ ​	139(+24%)
2020-08-14		​ ​	166(+19%)
Sources: Official reports from the Haut-Commissariat de la République en Polynésie francaise[9] More info

March 2020

On 11 March, the first case of COVID-19 in French Polynesia was confirmed. The first patient was Maina Sage, a member of the French National Assembly.[10]

The number of cases reported rose to three on 13 March.[11]

The other new coronavirus case concerns a Swiss tourist who fell ill on the atoll of Fakarava in the Tuamotus. According to Tahiti Nui Television, the tourist had also arrived in French Polynesia the previous weekend. The individual has been flown back to Tahiti where tests confirmed his infection. Meanwhile, French Polynesia has suspended cruise ship tourism for a month. The government has issued a statement saying ships bound for French Polynesia are to be routed to the next international port of their choice. Ships within French Polynesia's territorial waters are directed to head to Papeete for passengers to disembark and to be repatriated. Before docking, the passengers' health status has to be reported to authorities.[12]

Three new cases were confirmed on 18 March,[13] and five on 19 March.[14]

On 20 March, a mandatory lock-down was announced, starting at midnight.[15]

Starting on 24 March, alcoholic beverages are forbidden from being sold.[16]

On 27 March 2020, the French High Commissioner Dominique Sorain and the French Polynesian President jointly announced that a curfew would be imposed, lasting from 8pm to 5am the next day, starting this day until 15 April.[17]

May 2020

On the 19th, the Ministry has reported that all 60 cases have recovered, they've declared themselves Covid-Free, but will remain vigilant. On May 21st, residents can travel to other island without needing to take a test, however there will still be 2 week quarantine order for arrivals. [18]

August 2020

On 12 August 2020, 77 new cases were reported by The Ministry. [19]

From August 12 – August 25 the authorities of French Polynesia have implemented the following measures (subject to extension):

- Closing of discos and nightclubs;

- Meetings of more than 50 people on the public highway or in any place open to the public are subject to prior permission from the Office of the High Commissioner;

- Application of strict rules in restaurants and bars (patrons must be seated, maintain a minimum distance of 1 meter between each table, and wearing a mask is mandatory by everyone when moving around the establishment);

- Wearing of masks is mandatory in all shops, water taxis/ferry transportation, airplanes, public ground transport, airports and ferry terminals. Requirements will be enforced by controls and sanctions. Failure to comply with these requirements is punishable by a fine of up to €745.82.

On 14 August 2020, 104 cases were reported by The Ministry. [20] The cases are isolated at home or in a dedicated accommodation center

3 people are hospitalized at the CHPf, none in the intensive care unit.

3 cases were released from isolation and considered cured.

Conditions of entry and stay in French Polynesia

French Polynesia has confirmed conditions of entry and stay in the country applicable to all travelers from 6 years old (resident and non-resident) arriving by air. Since July 15th, 2020, quarantine measures are lift and French Polynesia’s borders re-open to international tourism from all countries. All travelers are subject to the following mandatory conditions:

Prior to boarding

- Proof of a negative RT-PCR test (list of approved and non approved tests) carried out within three days prior to their international air departure;

- Present the receipt of the health registration on the Etis.pf platform (Electronic Travel Information System) ; [21]

On board

- Application of International Air Transport Association (IATA) travel health protocol will be applied (at airports and on board the plane);

- Wearing mask during the flight.

During the stay

Self-test 4 days after arrival in The Islands of Tahiti.

See also

• COVID-19 pandemic in France

References

1. "Un total de 104 cas a été confirmé entre le 2 et le 14 août 2020". La Présidence de la Polynésie française (in French). Retrieved 14 August 2020.
2. "Point de situation sur le coronavirus au 14 août". La Présidence de la Polynésie française (in French). Retrieved 14 August 2020.
3. "Déclaration du Haut-Commissaire sur les adaptations aux mesures de confinement dans les archipels à l'exception de Tahiti et Moorea". Haut-Commissariat de la République en Polynésie francaise (in French). 17 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
4. Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
5. Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
6. "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
7. "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
8. "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
9. "Haut-Commissariat de la République en Polynésie francaise".
10. "Tahiti parliamentarian is Pacific's first coronavirus case". Radio New Zealand. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
11. "Countries where COVID-19 has spread". Worldometer. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
12. "Coronavirus: 2 more covid-19 cases in French Polynesia". Radio New Zealand. 13 March 2020.
13. "Point de situation sur le coronavirus au 18 mars". President of French Polynesia. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
14. "Covid-19 : 5 nouveaux cas en Polynésie". TNTV Tahiti Nui Télévision. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
15. "Déclaration commune du Haut-commissaire et du Président au sujet du coronavirus". President of French Polynesia. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
16. "Le "manuia" interdit pendant le confinement général". Polynésie la 1ère (in French). Retrieved 26 March 2020.
17. "Curfew from tonight across all of French Polynesia". Radio New Zealand. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
18. https://www.presidence.pf/coronavirus-situation-pour-la-polynesie-francaise-a-16h-34-2/
19. https://www.presidence.pf/point-de-situation-sur-le-coronavirus-au-12-aout/
20. https://www.presidence.pf/point-de-situation-sur-le-coronavirus-au-14-aout/
21. https://www.etis.pf/