On July 28th, 2022, FSM President Pauelo spoke regarding the current crisis resulting from community spread of COVID-19 currently in Pohnpei and Kosrae. The FSM COVID-19 Update reported over 2700 cases on July 27th and more than 3500 on July 28th. The number of deaths remains 4 at this time. Given the immediate concerns of test & treat and other infrastructure, the government cannot expend resources at this time investigating how COVID-19 was introduced into the FSM despite the border still being closed.
The Press Secretary for the FSM Government has relayed accounts of overcrowding at Test & Treat sites. We can expect that cases will increase as people are able to be seen at testing sites and cases are reported. The Department of Health & Social Affairs expects for covid cases to rise, plateau and then decrease over the next 1-2 months. Therefore, the FSM National Government will not impost a hard lockdown for any FSM state and borders are still scheduled to reopen August 1st.
There will be a presidential decree that masks be worn in public places, however Pohnpei is already requiring this. The Pohnpei State Government has announced that persons found in public without a mask can be charged up to $1,000. President Panuelo emphasized that this is about protecting others. One-third of the population have high risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. “Protecting others is core to our Micronesian identity of respect for everyone.”
The FSM have closed their borders for over two years in order to be vaccinated and prepared when this time came. 75% of the population over 5 years old are vaccinated, and 55% of the population over 45 years old are boosted. The country also has significant supplies of Paxlovid and monoclonal antibodies, medications used to treat COVID-19, enough to treat more than 21,000 people. All people 45 years and older or people with underlying health conditions are encouraged to go to the nearest testing and treatment center if they have any COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.
COVID-19 medications are safe and effective within 5 days of onset of symptoms. The FSM has also received its first stockpile of COVID-19 vaccines suitable for infants aged between 6 months and 4 years. Persons interested in obtaining these vaccines for their infants may do so starting on July 29th, 2022. And, COVID-19 vaccines will be available for infants ages 6 months to 4 years starting tomorrow July 29th.
The FSM government is working to maintain essential government services and critical infrastructure. In Pohnpei, multiple medical staff, at the national and state level, from nurses to epidemiologists, are presently positive with COVID-19 and unable to work. Pohnpei State Hospital has announced it has ceased all outpatient activities and canceled all doctor appointments. In response, FSM Congress appropriated $1 million to support Test & Treat sites throughout the country. U.S. CDC medical teams arrived in Pohnpei State and Kosrae State July 27th; after their flight was canceled, they flew from Hawaii to Guam, and then caught a flight from Guam to the FSM. Additionally, the World Health Organization is preparing a team for deployment to the FSM.
Though some questions still remain, President Panuelo’s leadership and sincere concern and duty is unquestionable. President Panuelo met with Governors of Kosrae and Chuuk. Chuuk State requested to delay the opening of borders beyond August 1, 2022 in order to complete their state hospital renovations due to be completed in November 2022. The Governor of Yap, Jesse J. Salalu, was not able to attend due to testing positive for COVID-19; he has not returned to Yap but remained in isolation on Pohnpei. The FSM Government received no reply from Pohnpei.
And, while Chuuk State Governor Narruhn makes a compelling and persuasive argument to keep Chuuk State closed longer, FSM borders will still open August 1st 2022. The FSM Government is also not imposing a hard lockdown. The President reports that even now Government employees who were sick are reporting back to work. According to the covid stats report there are 12 hospitalizations, 3 in Kosrae and 9 in Pohnpei, but there are also 2 cases recovered from hospital care in Kosrae.
The FSM Government continues to plan for maintaining critical infrastructure such as medical-care facilities, utilities, banking and communication. Most senior officials in at least two FSM Government departments are positive for COVID-19. Most non-government organizations are requiring staff to work from home or are limiting the number of people in their offices. More businesses have closed citing their own concerns of community spread. Banks and business who provide money transfers have also closed until further notice. The president has instructed key Cabinet to explore how they can replenish their COVID-19 related financial assistance programs.