COVID-19 pandemic in Kiribati

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== COVID-19 pandemic in Kiribati ==

The COVID-19 pandemic in Kiribati is part of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Kiribati, an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on November 18, 2021.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The virus spread rapidly across the globe, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

Timeline

2021

• November 18: Kiribati reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19. The case was detected in a traveler who arrived on a repatriation flight from Fiji.

Government Response

The government of Kiribati implemented several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including:

• **Travel Restrictions**: Entry into Kiribati was restricted, with mandatory quarantine for incoming travelers.
• **Public Health Measures**: Social distancing, mask mandates, and public awareness campaigns were initiated to educate the population about the virus and preventive measures.

Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on Kiribati, including:

• **Healthcare System**: The limited healthcare infrastructure faced challenges in managing potential outbreaks.
• **Economy**: The pandemic affected the economy, particularly the tourism sector, which is a vital part of Kiribati's economy.
• **Education**: Schools were temporarily closed, and remote learning was implemented where possible.

Vaccination

Kiribati began its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in 2021, with vaccines provided through the COVAX initiative. The government prioritized frontline workers, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions.

See Also

• COVID-19 pandemic by country and territory
• COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
• Public health emergency
• Pandemic

Related Pages

• Kiribati
• SARS-CoV-2
• World Health Organization
• COVAX