Norfolk Island Confirmed Covid Cases December 2021
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07 January 2022
After avoiding Covid-19 cases of almost two years, the first recorded Norfolk Island cases were announced on 30th December 2021. The community are now adjusting to new regulations and limited services as many locals have been placed in isolation. Up to about 200 or more have isolated at their homes or accommodation, as the medical system start to contain the spread of covid around our remote island.
On 30th December 2021 there were 2 confirmed cases reported and by 6th January 2022 confirmed cases have grown to 35, which also included a visitor tourist and a hospital staff member. Test carried out in Australia have been confirmed that the COVID positive cases on Norfolk Island are the Omicron variant.
Daily updates have been issued on the Norfolk Island Radio Station 89.9 fm and on Facebook Emergency Management Norfolk Island “EMNI” page and the Norfolk Island Reginal Council “NIRC” website page with EMT updates.
https://www.facebook.com/emergencymanagementnorfolkisland
The Matrix plan has been activated and Norfolk Island is at level 4, which means travelling tourist are now paused to 19th January 2022 and this will be reviewed closer to the date. Residence and essential workers can still fly to Norfolk Island with testing restrictions and the details are on the links above and are updating as changes develop.
Under Matrix 4, it was announced this week that the local community restrictions will remain at Level 3, but the travel rules will be Matrix 4.
Many businesses have closed for a week or two or taking phone orders, and many of the coffee shops and restaurant have takeaway service. Social distance 4 metre rules apply, and masks are required when indoors or mixing with people. Remember to continue regular hand washing and sanitising. To assist with contact tracing, everyone must check in with covid apps or manually when checking into businesses and premises.
It is recommended, if you can, work from home. Also, to not attend gatherings and stay home as much as possible. If you feel unwell, please stay home, isolate, and contact the medical team for advice.
Church services are now cancelled, Heiva Day, a community beach event was cancelled on the weekend, along with Little Nippers and many other events have been put on hold or cancelled. The campers have packed up from the summer camp site at Emily Bay. This will be summer like no other.
Norfolk Island Health & Residential Aged Care Service, “NIHRACS” have been busy with Covid testing, booster vaccines and strict rules on entry into the hospital and doctor’s clinics as they keep patients, staff and the community safe. A big thank you to everyone involved and the long hours they are all working to assist those in need.
If you need medical assistance, please call NIHRACS
In an emergency please call 000 immediately.
To make an appointment at the GP Clinic call (0011) 6723 24134
At the end of November 2021, the Norfolk Island borders were opened with restrictions with Australian states and as flights returned from NSW, by about the 20th December 2021 PCR testing rules were introduced. It was reported that some PCR tests were tested with false results, negative, instead of positive, so maybe this is how Covid arrived in Norfolk Island. It was only time that it would arrive on Norfolk Island. The population has approximately 95% vaccination rates, but with many elderly and vulnerable people living on Norfolk Island it is very concerning knowing the virus has now spread around our island home.
Cases are also accelerating across Australia since interstate borders were opened. Testing sites have been over run as travellers attempt to get PCR tests for travel permits and those who are sick follow covid health instructions to also join the ques and get tested. Rapid Covid tests “RAT” are now in demand, the RAT tests are now the excepted way to test at home to relieve the pressure in testing labs. Two thousand RAT tests were sent to Norfolk Island during the week to assist with confirmation of Norfolk Island covid cases, and with the quick results, contacts can then stay home in isolation.
Confirmed Covid-19 cases reported on 6 January 2022, NSW 34,994, approximately 4% of their population, QLD 10,332 approximately 2%, and I calculated Norfolk Island with 35 cases is approximately 1.7% of the population and about 10% have been in isolation during the past week.
Updated Norfolk Island case numbers as of 7 January 2022
The EMT are working closely with NIHRACs to collate statistical data about the COVID pandemic on Norfolk Island. The statistics below are as at 10am Friday 7 January 2022.
COVID Statistics |
Number |
Positive RAT tests (previous 24 hrs) |
1 |
Number of RAT tests conducted (previous 24hrs) |
3 |
Daily average of positive tests (7days) |
4.9 |
Current number of Active cases |
35 |
Current number of high-risk cases |
8 |
Close Contacts in isolation |
90 |
Recovered (discharged) cases |
1 |
Vaccination Statistics |
Number of people |
First dose |
2002 |
Second dose |
1720 |
Booster dose |
411 |
Cumulative Statistic |
Number |
Total number of positive (including recovered) |
36 |
Total number of tests conducted |
195 |
Note: There will be no additional vaccinations until the arrival of the next batch of vaccines expected after 14 January. NIHRACS will not be conducting routine RAT testing over the weekend. Updated statistics that include today’s numbers will be published tomorrow.
Please stay safe everyone and stay home if you are in isolation. Stay kind to everyone, remember it is not a crime to get sick. Dr Sam recommended outdoor activities, enjoy your garden, or outdoor walks. If you are not in isolation, enjoy a swim at Emily Bay, but remember to social distance, even when outside and always take a mask to keep yourself and other safe.
Thank you to all of the community for helping to stop the Covid virus spreading. Thank you to the cleaners, the social workers, those supporting friends, family and loved ones. The businesses helping with food and essential supplies with limited staff and trying times. Thank you to the medical staff and support teams and the long days helping the community adjust to the covid world and the dangers living in a covid pandemic.
Together we can help stop the spread of Covid on Norfolk Island.
Take care everyone, have a safe and healthy 2022.
Betty Matthews
January 2022