Covid

Kwaj ends quarantine operation

HILARY HOSIA Following two years of being one of the strictest quarantine sites in the world, the US Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll wrapped up its quarantine program this week, according to a news story from the August 27 edition of the Kwajalein Hourglass. Since RMI began its repatriation program towards the end of 2020, there was […]

Latest Marshallese docs take oath

Latest Marshallese docs take oath

EVE BURNS Married to humanity in the middle of a pandemic on a very hot afternoon on a tennis court: It will be unforgettable for the two individuals who received their white coat and took the Hippocratic Oath last Friday. The internship residency program that Drs. Jean Phillip and Jerel Anitok completed is overseen by […]

PaxLovid: RMI’s magic bullet

PaxLovid: RMI’s magic bullet

GIFF JOHNSON Important facts emerged from the first two weeks of the Covid outbreak, as of Tuesday this week: • 12 of the initial 14 deaths from Covid were dead on arrival (DOA) at Majuro or Ebeye hospitals, meaning the 12 did not seek or receive medical care for their condition. It also means only […]

Covid dominates Nitijela’s return

Covid dominates Nitijela’s return

HILARY HOSIA Leaders of the nation began their first Parliament meeting of the August session Monday with a moment of silence to honor the 14 Marshallese who passed away from Covid since the pandemic reached the shores of the RMI August 8. A few minutes into the session, Speaker Kenneth Kedi called for an off air […]

Code Red: Covid arrives

Code Red: Covid arrives

GIFF JOHNSON This is how the Marshall Islands went from being one of a handful of places in the world to still be Covid-free two-and-a-half-years into the pandemic to joining the rest of the world August 8.Majuro hospital authorities discovered the first “cluster” of Covid positive cases Monday afternoon. Parents brought their 17 and nine […]

Covid is knocking on the RMI’s door

Covid is knocking on the RMI’s door

GIFF JOHNSON With the border opening looming, there is more talk in the community about the arrival of Covid in RMI. There are more questions than answers: Are we ready, will there be lockdowns, will schools be closed? Neighboring FSM opened its borders officially Monday this week — but Covid slipped into Pohnpei and Kosrae […]

Friendly starts to compact talks

Friendly starts to compact talks

GIFF JOHNSON Nearly three years after the first in-person preliminary discussions were held between the US and the Marshall Islands for a third funding agreement in the Compact, negotiations resumed again this week with a two-day meeting at Kwajalein. The negotiations stalled after these first discussions were held in Pohnpei between President Trump’s Secretary of […]

House-to-house a success

GIFF JOHNSON The government ramped up its ongoing Covid vaccination program Monday this week by starting house-to-house immunizations throughout Majuro. The move takes a page out of the measles vaccine program three years ago and the initial start of Covid vaccines in January 2021 by taking the program into the community.Monday’s outreach effort showed the […]

RMI escapes omicron spread

RMI escapes omicron spread

The RMI government continues to use both its quarantine facility in Arrak Majuro, as well as the Kwaj Lodge at Kwajalein for managing the quarantine of incoming repatriation groups. Although United Airlines is not taking passengers out of Majuro for now, it continues to stop in Majuro for refueling and to drop off repatriation groups.Last […]

Silia expands horizons with Red Cross

Silia expands horizons with Red Cross

EVE BURNS Silia Peter has worked hard to earn her first aid and CPR license.Silia, 23, has been a volunteer with Red Cross since 2017. She was recently recognized with a leadership award and first aid certificate. She was chosen because she advances Red Cross’ cause to train more people in first aid and CPR […]