COVID-19 Update: Kiribati’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services confirmed 201 new Covid-19 cases in the community on South Tarawa (Betio and Buota) through PCR tests; the new patients are in home quarantine with mild symptoms, bringing the national total to 1,744 (42 imported, 1,702 local on South Tarawa/Betio/Buota, plus 32 in Butaritari), while an 80-year-old woman remains in hospital. Education Disruption: With the country still on alert level 3, the Ministry of Education cancelled the first term school start date (14 February) and will shift to remote learning, with details to be announced later. Health Infrastructure: The Asian Development Bank and the Kiribati government signed an US$11 million grant to support the new Betio Hospital, aiming to strengthen health services across South Tarawa and outer islands, with completion and operations targeted for the end of the second quarter of 2028.