A Covid-stricken aid ship is heading for virus-free Tonga
Tonga has only reported a single coronavirus case since the start of the pandemic and is making every effort — including insisting on contactless delivery — to keep Covid-19 out as it receives aid from its Pacific neighbors following a massive volcanic eruption and tsunami nearly two weeks ago.Australia’s Defense Minister Peter Dutton told a Tonga, which has a population of more than 100,000 people, has fully vaccinated more than 80% of its eligible population, according to the World Health Organization.”Under no circumstance will we compromise the health and wellbeing of those Tongans who have already had a concerted effort against the virus by protecting themselves, and the virus is not present on the island,” Australian Defense Minister Dutton said Tuesday.Other countries including New Zealand have also sent supplies to the remote nation, which was almost entirely cut off from the world in the immediate aftermath of the blast due to damage to a key underwater cable.Aid agencies and Tongan politicians have warned of water contamination and potential food shortages after crops were ruined by the ash.Rescue workers are working to deliver safe drinking water to the islands, as communications gradually resume and cleanup efforts continue.
