Palau has confirmed its first case of COVID. It was a traveler who arrived to Palau on May 9 from Guam. The individual tested negative several times before and after arriving in Palau. The traveler was asymptomatic and tested 21 days after arrival.

During a press conference, the Palau Ministry of Health described the case as a "historical or past infection" case of COVID and is low risk for infectious. CDC's Dr. Thane Hancock spoke during the conference from Pohnpei acknowledging Palau's quick detection and containment of the case.

He explained, "I think as we step back know that the CDC is always here to support the nation of Palau, as you guys move forward through this pandemic as we've been with you from the beginning but really Palau and the entire community has taken great steps to be prepared for this moment with the immunization coverage that where you're leading the world in your immunization that's really what's going to protect Palau, and I think the term that has been used is COVID-safe going from COVID-free to COVID-safe and all of us are really so impressed and really feel that Palau is really ready for this kind of challenge.

"But again, as the case goes, I think Dr. Yano explained - it does seem the case is not perhaps recognized as extremely infectious case but do recognize the ministry's appropriate response to it out of an abundance of caution."

According to the President of Palau at least 97-percent of the adult population in Palau has been vaccinated.  Meanwhile residents in Palau are urged to remain calm and not to panic. The traveler was isolated and contact tracing and monitoring is underway.