Disclaimer: As of January 2025, SPC will no longer provide updated information on COVID-19 cases and deaths. The information presented on this page is for reference only. For current epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific region, please visit: https://www.spc.int/epidemics/ 

The COVID-19 (COrona VIrus Disease 2019) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020. 

On 5 May 2023, the WHO Director-General declared that “COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)”.

For information on global efforts to manage this outbreak, visit the WHO website for current situation reports on COVID 19.

Current Status in the Pacific

22 countries (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI), Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Pitcairn Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna) in the PICTs have reported cases and deaths.

Due to the evolving nature of COVID-19 testing, vaccination and reporting strategies across the pacific region, the data reported might not reflect the true situation in a number of countries.

For more details and data, please consult the below map and charts.

(*) This includes all cases reported (imported/border cases and locally acquired cases) with a reporting date. Source PDH.stat.

You can print or download the map in PNG, JPEG and PDF format by clicking on the hamburger menu ☰ on the top right corner

For further information on specific countries in the Pacific contact the respective government authorities. 

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has a dedicated COVID-19 page on the Pacific Other COVID-19 news and updates
• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides a global overview of COVID-19 
• The Guardian is providing a weekly news summary of COVID-19 related news in the Pacific

Regional Challenges

COVID-19 represents a significant challenge for the region. The Pacific Community (SPC), as the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) lead in public health, has taken all necessary measures to help address the spread of COVID-19. This includes the adoption of a response framework aimed at supporting staff well-being and business continuity while supporting an efficient regional response to the pandemic.

Which are the main risk areas for PICTs?

• In most of the PICTs, access to quality health services is limited, due to a lack of infrastructure, equipment, and qualified personnel. In the current situation, this can pose a problem of access to care if the number of infected people increases.
• Most PICTs do not have the needed laboratory equipment to analyse the tests on site, which creates difficulties in identifying cases. The test samples have to be sent to other countries for analysis.
• Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) are frequented by tourists. This represents a risk due to the movement of people to and from PICTs (although restrictive measures have been put in place); and also a risk for the local economies.

Country support:

Our Public Health Division is supporting Pacific Island countries and territories preparedness and response to COVID-19 through public health surveillance, laboratory, infection prevention and control, risk communication and clinical services. 

Partnership: 

SPC is part of the World Health Organization (WHO)-led multi-agency Incident Management Team (IMT) and therefore provides support to PICTs in close collaboration with regional partners.

To access more specific information for COVID-19, please click below:

Pacific Community Response