All the countries that have NEVER had a COVID-19 case since the Pandemic began

Only few countries have remained entirely COVID-free throughout the Pandemic - and the list just got smaller.

Tonga has reported their first COVID-19 case ever, with the country's main island now under lockdown.

The island nation, which has a population of over 100,000 people - just over 30% of those eligible fully vaccinated - has never seen a locally-acquired infection since the Pandemic began.

Other countries who have remained COVID-free include Tokelau - a dependent territory of New Zealand.

The Pitcairn Islands have also never had a case & their entire population is fully vaccinated, along with Gibraltar - a British overseas territory on Spain’s south coast - the latter has, however, has cases.

The so-called ‘Hermit Kingdom’ of North Korea has never officially reported a case or a death & neither has Turkmenistan, though President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow has implemented some restrictions.

In that country, a vaccine mandate has been imposed for all eligible citizens with roughly 70% double dosed.

Similarly, the Federated States of Micronesia has also mandated the jab & has remained without any locally-acquired COVID-19 cases.

Even Antarctica has had cases - a total of 58 - the last continent in the world to have confirmed infections.

CORRECTION: During this story, Turkmenistan is incorrectly referred to as a European nation, instead of a Central Asian country. We apologise for the error.

(Originally aired here October 31 2021)