Honiara is now experiencing its second wave of COVID-19, with 229 positive cases recorded in the past 48 hours.
Health Minister Dr Culwick Togamana gave the update during his situational report on the national broadcaster, SIBC.
He says samples have been sent to Australia for genome sequencing to determine the variant, with all likelihood pointing to the highly contagious Omicron variant.
The Health Minister says 26 persons have been admitted at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), accounting for 10% of total admissions. The Central Field Hospital (CFH) is now being prepared in the event that beds are inadequate to handle a possible surge in cases.
The Health Minister reminds the public to take health and safety measures seriously as the new variant is highly infectious.