These Countries Have Reported Zero Covid-19 Cases Since Onset Of Pandemic: WHO List

A number of countries and territories have not reported a single case of Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to WHO data. Many of these are islands in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

An aerial view of Tuvalu, an island country in the west-central Pacific Ocean. Tuvalu is one of the countries to have reported zero cases of Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic | Photo: Getty Images

New Delhi: Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, over 416 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been reported worldwide, as of 5:44 pm CET (10:14 pm IST), February 17, 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 

With 77,413,180 confirmed cases of Covid-19, the United States of America (USA) have reported the highest number of cases in the world, followed by India, in which a total of 42,754,315 cases have been confirmed, as of 5:44 pm CET, February 17, according to the WHO. 

The pandemic has claimed millions of lives worldwide. However, a number of countries and territories have not reported a single case of Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic, according to WHO data. These include Tuvalu, Tokelau, Saint Helena, Pitcairn Islands, Niue, Nauru, and the Federal States of Micronesia. 

Though North Korea and Turkmenistan have also reported zero cases, there is widespread scepticism about the claims of the two countries, according to a report by the Associated Press. 

Factors Which Have Helped Some Countries Remain Free Of Covid-19

Many of the countries and territories that have reported zero cases since the onset of the pandemic are islands in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The fact that they are bordered only by the sea could be the reason why these countries have not reported a single case of Covid-19 since the pandemic's onset, according to a report by American media company US News. Another factor which may be responsible for the countries' and territories' success is the implementation of strict travel policies, the report said.

Tonga, a Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 South Pacific Islands, managed to keep the Covid-19 virus out by stopping cruise ships from docking and closing the airport in March 2020, according to Paula Taumoepeau, the president of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the AP report said. However, in October last year, the country recorded its first coronavirus case since the onset of the pandemic. Last week, Cook Islands, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, reported the country's first case of Covid-19. 

Following are the countries which have reported zero cases since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a list provided by the WHO:

Tuvalu

Tuvalu, formerly Ellice Islands, is an island country in the west-central Pacific Ocean, and is composed of nine small coral islands. The government of Tuvalu announced restrictions prohibiting entry to Tuvalu of anyone who has been in China within 30 days of arrival in the country. The restriction includes entry to seafarers from foreign vessels that have been in China or a "high-risk country" in the last 30 days. These strict protocols are likely to have helped Tuvalu stave off the Covid-19 virus.

Almost 50 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, according to the WHO.

Tokelau

Tokelau is an island territory of New Zealand, consisting of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. The country  fully vaccinated 71.7 per cent of its population, according to the WHO.

Saint Helena

Saint Helena is an island and British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. In Saint Helena, 58.16 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, according to the WHO.

Pitcairn Islands

The Pitcairn Islands, officially the Pitcairn, are volcanic islands located in the south-central Pacific Ocean. The Pitcairn Island is the only inhabited island of the British overseas territory of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands, commonly referred to as the Pitcairn Islands or as Pitcairn. 

Polynesians were the first inhabitants of the Pitcairn Islands, according to the official website of the Central Intelligence Agency, the principal foreign intelligence and counterintelligence agency of the United States government. However, the islands were uninhabited by the time they were discovered in 1606.

In 1767, Pitcairn Island was rediscovered by British explorer Philip Carteret.

According to the WHO, 74 per cent of the population in Pitcairn is fully vaccinated.

Niue

Niue is an internally self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand, and is the westernmost of the Cook Islands, but is administratively separate from them. In Niue, 79.6 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated. 

Nauru

Nauru is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, and consists of a raised coral island located in southeastern Micronesia. If one is travelling to Nauru, he or she will be required to undergo additional screening before departure and upon arrival in Nauru. In addition, in-flight screening may also be conducted. Other protocols include the fact that all persons arriving in Nauru are required to undergo quarantine upon arrival for a period of 14 days, according to humanitarian information portal ReliefWeb. 

In Nauru, 67.97 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated.

Micronesia

The Federated States of Micronesia are composed of four states, namely, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap, the CIA said on its website. In Micronesia, 38.37 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, according to the WHO.

Scepticism About The Claims Of North Korea And Turkmenistan

Though North Korea has not reported a single case of Covid-19 since the pandemic's onset, there is widespread scepticism about the country's claim of zero cases, according to an AP report.

Similarly, there is significant doubt about Turkmenistan's claim of zero cases, the AP report said. Although the government continues to insist that no cases have been detected, the economy has been impacted by Covid-19, according to a report by English-language newsmagazine Nikkei Asia. 

Last year, a senior official of the WHO had cast doubt on Turkmenistan's claim that it has zero Covid-19 cases, according to a BBC report. Dr Catherine Smallwood, a WHO senior emergencies officer, told the BBC that from the scientific point of view, it is unlikely that the virus is not circulating in Turkmenistan.