The Latest: Pacific nation of Micronesia sees 1st virus case

The Latest: Pacific nation of Micronesia sees 1st virus case

SeattlePI.com

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The small Pacific nation of Micronesia has reported its first case of the coronavirus after a crewmember on an arriving ship tested positive.

Home to 100,000 people, Micronesia had been among a dwindling handful of island nations to have avoided the virus altogether.

In an address to the nation, President David Panuelo said many people had heard the “alarming news” but the case has been contained at the border.

Panuelo said one crewmember aboard the government ship Chief Mailo had tested positive after the ship had returned from the Philippines following more than a year of drydock repairs.

He said the crewmember has been isolated on board, that all other crew remain on board, and that the ship is being monitored daily by law enforcement.

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THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

— The U.S. is expanding the biggest vaccination drive in its history by opening football stadiums, major league ballparks, fairgrounds and convention centers to inoculate more people

— Malaysia’s king has approved a coronavirus emergency that will suspend parliament at least until August and halt any bids to seek a general election

— China expands lockdowns, postpones local political conference in a province next to Beijing amid recent COVID-19 outbreak

— The coronavirus death toll in California has reached 30,000, another staggering milestone as the nation’s most populous state endures the worst surge of the pandemic

— Health expert says worst time for Britain's National Health Service is hitting now

— Follow AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine...

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