As one of the last remaining countries free from COVID-19, Vanuatu on Tuesday reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case. 

"On 10 November 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Vanuatu. The case was asymptomatic (not sick) and was detected in quarantine during routine day 5 testing," the country's health ministry said in a statement. 

According to Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman, the case was an indigenous Ni-Vanuatu person who had arrived from the U.S., transiting through Sydney and Auckland.

"The country remains safe," Loughman said. "The COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder that we must all work together to address every disaster."

The health ministry said the case will remain in isolation following all established protocols until health clearance is given for release and contact tracing has been initiated with close contacts to be quarantined.