The Ministry of Health is investigating reports in Tongan media of a positive COVID-19 result from a person who boarded a commercial flight to Tonga from Christchurch on Wednesday.

In a statement released tonight, the Ministry of Health said the case retuned a negative pre-departure test before leaving New Zealand.

They are fully vaccinated with the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and had their second dose on 15 October.

They were tested in routine Day 0 testing yesterday and returned a positive result today.

The Ministry, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is working with officials in Tonga to confirm the case.

There will be further updates on this tomorrow.

Tonga media reported that “one positive COVID-19 test occured among the 215 passengers who arrived in Tonga from Christchurch on Wednesday.”

“The test was carried out yesterday and results confirmed today, Friday.”

The PM Hon. Rev Dr Pohiva Tu’ionetoa, made the announcement on national radio at 5:30pm, today. It is the first confirmed positive case in Tonga in MIQ.

The gender of the person at the at the Tanoa Hotel MIQ was not revealed.

The Prime Minister said that on Monday government will most likely put out some sort of regulation whether we will have a national lockdown in the future.

From today onwards he asked Tongans to prepare themselves this weekend and follow the curfews and abide by it and social distancing.

Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said that it was unfortunate that the plane had already left Christchurch before the news came of the community cases in Christchurch.