Archives 2020

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises that there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Fiji.

Yesterday, 18 February 2020, a 9-year-old boy was admitted and isolated at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH). Whilst the patient’s symptoms make it unlikely that he has COVID-19, as a precautionary measure the patient has been admitted, and laboratory tests are being undertaken to determine the cause of his illness and rule out COVID-19.

The patient has a recent international travel history, transiting via Singapore en-route to Fiji. Upon his and his family’s arrival in Nadi International Airport on 16 February 2020, the family was screened by the Ministry of Health team and cleared as none showed any symptoms of illness. All other members of the family are currently well, however have been instructed to remain at home until laboratory results are available. In addition, all precautionary public health measures have been taken to ensure that the patient is provided appropriate care, whilst reducing the risk of potential exposure to the virus, if it is confirmed.

The Ministry will provide an update to the public once laboratory test results become available.

As the symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to many other respiratory illnesses (including colds and influenza) it is expected that with time the Ministry will investigate more persons with relevant travel history and symptoms related to COVID-19. This should not alarm the public, but be an indication of the high level of alertness and precautionary approach the Ministry is taking in response to this global outbreak.

What can you do?

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to strongly urge the public to not share rumours and misinformation.  Just as we did during the measles outbreak the Ministry will inform the public as soon as possible once we have a confirmed case. Use credible sources for information on 2019-nCoV:

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services website http://www.health.gov.fj/

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MoHFiji/

WHO website https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

How can you prevent yourself from getting COVID-19 and other diseases?

• Frequently clean hands soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough
• Avoid travel to mainland China

If you have been to mainland China in the last 14 days and develop symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing), immediately contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need to see a doctor please call ahead, using the following phone numbers, before visiting to reduce the risk of infecting other patients.

• Central 2219905
• Eastern 2219906
• Western 2219907
• Northern 2219908

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is monitoring the developing situation and will provide updates regularly to the public.

MEDIA RELEASE 9: 2019 NOVEL CORONA-VIRUS

There are no confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus in Fiji

The foreign national isolated at Nadi Hospital since the evening of Thursday 6^th February has tested negative for 2019-nCoV and has been cleared for release. To date all persons investigated for 2019-nCoV in Fiji have tested negative. There are no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in Fiji.

As the symptoms of 2019-nCoV are very similar to many other respiratory illnesses (including colds and influenza) it is expected that with time the Ministry will investigate more persons with relevant travel history and symptoms related to 2019-nCoV. This should not alarm the public, as this is an indication of the level of alert we are maintaining for this globally spreading disease. And with more cases detected in countries around the world, including in neighbouring countries such as Australia, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services continues to be on high alert and is preparing for possible importation of cases.

 What can you do?

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services strongly urges the public to not share rumours and misinformation.  Just as we did during the measles outbreak the Ministry will inform the public as soon as possible once we have a confirmed case. Use credible sources for information on 2019-nCoV:

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services website http://www.health.gov.fj/

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MoHFiji/

WHO website https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

 How can you prevent yourself from getting 2019-nCoV and other diseases?

• Frequently clean hands soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
• When coughing or sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough
• Avoid travel to mainland China

If you have been to mainland China in the last 14 days and develop symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing), immediately contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need to see a doctor please call ahead, using the following phone numbers, before visiting to reduce the risk of infecting other patients.

• Central 2219905
• Eastern 2219906
• Western 2219907
• Northern 2219908

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is monitoring the developing situation and will provide updates regularly to the public.

MEDIA RELEASE 8: 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

There are no confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus in Fiji

 The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises that the results of the two Fijian nationals who were isolated in Nadi Hospital have returned negative and they will soon be on their way home.

Last night (6 February), a foreign national with a fever was placed under isolation at Nadi Hospital. Lab samples for confirmatory testing for 2019-nCoV are being sent to the WHO Collaborating Centre reference laboratory in Melbourne Australia. The Ministry’s response teams are also managing close contacts of the patient.

The Ministry will provide an update to the public on the results of the lab test once they are available.

As the symptoms of 2019-nCoV are very similar to many other respiratory illnesses (including colds and influenza) it is expected that with time the Ministry will investigate more persons with relevant travel history and symptoms related to the 2019-nCoV. This should not alarm the public, as this is an indication of the level of alert we are maintaining for this globally spreading disease.

What can you do?

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to strongly urge the public to not share rumours and misinformation.  Just as we did during the measles outbreak the Ministry will inform the public as soon as possible once we have a confirmed case. Use credible sources for information on 2019-nCoV:

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services website http://www.health.gov.fj/

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MoHFiji/

WHO website https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

 How can you prevent yourself from getting 2019-nCoV and other diseases?

• Frequently clean hands soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough
• Avoid travel to mainland China

If you have been to mainland China in the last 14 days and develop symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing), immediately contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need to see a doctor please call ahead, using the following phone numbers, before visiting to reduce the risk of infecting other patients.

• Central 2219905
• Eastern 2219906
• Western 2219907
• Northern 2219908

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is monitoring the developing situation and will provide updates regularly to the public.

 The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is currently investigating two Fijian citizens for novel coronavirus after their arrival into Fiji on Monday February 3^rd from Guangdong in China. Both currently have mild symptoms and are under isolation at Nadi Hospital. Lab samples for confirmatory testing for 2019-nCoV are being sent to the WHO Collaborating Centre reference laboratory in Melbourne Australia. The Ministry’s response teams are also managing close contacts of the patients.

There are currently no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in Fiji – the Ministry will provide an update to the public on the two persons under investigation once lab results are available.

As the symptoms of 2019-nCoV are very similar to many other respiratory illnesses (including colds and influenza) it is expected that with time the Ministry will investigate more persons with relevant travel history and symptoms related to 2019-nCoV. This should not alarm the public, as this is an indication of the level of alert we are maintaining for this globally spreading disease.

What can you do?

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to strongly urge the public to not share rumours and misinformation.  Just as we did during the measles outbreak the Ministry will inform the public as soon as possible once we have a confirmed case. Use credible sources for information on 2019-nCoV:

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services website http://www.health.gov.fj/

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MoHFiji/

WHO website https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

How can you prevent yourself from getting 2019-nCoV and other diseases?

• Frequently clean hands soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough
• Avoid travel to mainland China

If you have been to mainland China in the last 14 days and develop symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing), immediately contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need to see a doctor please call ahead, using the following phone numbers, before visiting to reduce the risk of infecting other patients.

Central 2219905  Eastern 2219906  Western 2219907  Northern 2219908

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is monitoring the developing situation and will provide updates regularly to the public.

 ‘Dispelling rumours and false information’

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is advising the public against spreading false information and rumours that have recently been circulated about 2019-nCoV in Fiji. Just as we did during the measles outbreak- the Ministry will inform the public as soon as possible once we have a confirmed case of 2019-nCoV. There are currently no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in Fiji

Rumours about Lautoka hospital confirmed case on Friday 31^st January

A circulating rumour is that Lautoka hospital has a confirmed case of 2019-nCoV after medical staff were seen wearing personal protective equipment on Friday 31^st January. The truth is that the Lautoka Hospital Novel Coronavirus Infection Contingency Plan (LHNCICP) was activated on Friday 31^st January after a patient was reviewed by doctors in the emergency department. The LHNCICP contingency plan was activated as a precaution. After further investigation it was determined that the patient was not a suspected case of 2019-nCoV  (the patient did not have respiratory symptoms or a relevant travel history) and the contingency plan was stood down.

The rapid activation of the Lautoka Hospital Novel Coronavirus Infection Contingency Plan 3 (LHNCICP) is an indication of the high level of alert that our health staff have for this new disease and the plans that are already in place to address it.

Fiji Airways flight Singapore-Nadi FJ360 flight on Sunday February 2^nd 2020

Our health team at Nadi airport were informed by Fiji Airways prior to the landing of FJ360 of a sick cabin crew member on board. Upon landing, established disembarkation procedures for a sick passenger/crew were enacted, and the sick crew member was examined by our doctors. The cabin crew member was assessed as not suspected case of 2019-nCoV based on symptoms and absence of relevant travel history.

The Ministry commends Fiji Airways for the rapid notification to our team on the ground. This and the rapid response by our team is an indication of the strengthened health measures at our borders.

What can you do?

The Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to strongly urge the public to not share rumours and misinformation.  Use credible sources for information on 2019-nCoV:

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services website http://www.health.gov.fj/

Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MoHFiji/

WHO website https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

How can you prevent yourself from getting 2019-nCoV and other diseases?

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
• Avoid travel to mainland China

If you have been to mainland China in the last 14 days and develop symptoms (fever, cough or difficulty breathing), immediately contact one of the numbers listed below. If you need to see a doctor please call ahead, using the following phone numbers, before visiting to reduce the risk of infecting other patients.

Central 2219905  Eastern 2219906  Western 2219907  Northern 2219908

The Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services is monitoring the developing situation and will provide updates regularly to the public.