The country has recorded an additional 124 positive cases of COVID-19.

The update was made by the Health Minister Dr Culwick Togamana during his daily COVID-19 update on the national broadcaster, SIBC.

Of the 124 new cases, 95 cases are recorded within the last 24-hour reporting period.

Of the 95 cases, 19 are recorded in Guadalcanal, 29 in Central, 29 in West, 11 in Honiara, 4 in Makira, 2 in Choiseul and 1 in Malaita. There was no update from Rennell Bellona, and Temotu remains the only province still free from COVID-19.

The remaining 29 cases are reported outside the reporting period, with 18 recorded in Guadalcanal and 11 in Malaita.

The cumulative total number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country now stands at 8,150.

Two additional deaths were recorded over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths from COVID-19 since the outbreak to 118. 

There is a notable decline in Honiara, with most of the cases now being reported from the provinces. As such, much of the effort to contain and mitigate the impacts of the virus is now focused on the provinces.

One of the key indicators for the decline in cases of COVID-19 in Honiara is the decline in hospital admissions due to COVID-19 at the national referral hospital (NRH).

The Health Minister says that there are currently 118 admissions at the NRH, and only 16 are admitted due to COVID-19. However, 3 are reportedly in critical condition while 1 is said to be severe.

He says this underlies the need for the public to get fully vaccinated, particularly the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.