Last Updated on 3 years by Publishing Team

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Monday, 30th August 2021

Transmission Update

We have 184 new cases of COVID-19 to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. 133 cases are from the Western Division, 40 cases are from the Central Division and 11 cases are from the Eastern Division. A full breakdown of areas of interest will be published online tonight on the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard. You will also be able to view the approximate locations of new cases, active cases, and recovered cases on the dashboard at the following link: http://bit.ly/3vE2ZBb

There are 11 new COVID-19 positive cases in Kadavu. This means there are now 175 active cases of COVID-19 in Kadavu. All these individuals have been isolated.

There have been no new recoveries to report since the last update, which means that there are now 19,463 active cases. 9,058 active cases are in the Central Division, 10,225 active cases in the Western Division, 5 active cases in the Northern Division (Nabouwalu and Macuata), and 175 active cases in the Eastern Division (all in Kadavu). We are currently reviewing and reconciling our active case database with recoveries and as a result, we expect the recovery numbers to increase in the coming weeks.

There have been 46,141 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 46,211 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 25,951 recoveries.

Deaths

We have 10 new COVID-19 deaths to report for the period from the 26th to the 30th of August 2021.  Seven deaths were reported from the Western Division and three deaths were reported from the Central Division.

The first COVID-19 death to report is a 44-year-old woman from Tavua. She presented to the Tavua Hospital in severe respiratory distress. A medical team from the Tavua hospital transferred her to the Lautoka Hospital. She had a history of shortness of breath 2 days prior to presentation. She died 4 days after admission (28/08/2021). She received the first dose of the vaccine in mid-August. She did not receive the second dose of the vaccine. This means that she was not fully vaccinated.

The second COVID-19 death to report is a 57-year-old man from Nadi who died at home on 29/08/2021. He was not vaccinated.

The third COVID-19 death to report is a 77-year-old woman from Nadi who died at home on 29/08/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The fourth COVID-19 death to report is a 92-year-old woman from Sigatoka who died at home on 27/08/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The fifth COVID-19 death to report is a 48-year-old woman from Lautoka who died at home on 30/08/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The sixth COVID-19 death to report is a 65-year-old man from Tavua who died at home on 26/08/2021. He received the first dose of the vaccine in early July. He did not receive the second dose of the vaccine. This means that he was not fully vaccinated.

The seventh COVID-19 death to report is a 44-year-old woman from Nadi. She presented to the Nadi Hospital in severe respiratory distress. She died on the same day (29/08/2021).  She was not vaccinated.

The eighth COVID-19 death to report is an 84-year-old woman from Navua who died at home on 28/08/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The ninth COVID-19 death to report is a 75-year-old woman from Suva. She presented to the CWM Hospital in respiratory distress. She died 3 days after admission (29/08/2021). She was not vaccinated.

The tenth COVID-19 death to report is an 88-year-old man from Sakoca. He presented to the CWM Hospital in severe respiratory distress. He died 12 days after admission (27/08/2021). He was not vaccinated.

There have been 10 deaths of COVID-19 positive patients. However, these deaths have been classified as non-COVID deaths by their doctors. Doctors have determined that their deaths were caused by serious pre-existing medical conditions and not COVID-19.

There have now been 489 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 487 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 day rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, in order to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of August 25th, the national 7 day rolling average of COVID-19 deaths per day is 6. The 7 day rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day in the Central Division is 2 and in the Western Division is 4.

We also have recorded 307 COVID-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted COVID-19; these are not classified as COVID-19 deaths.

Hospitalisations

There are currently 244 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital. 113 patients are admitted at the Lautoka Hospital, 22 patients are admitted at the FEMAT field hospital, and 109 are admitted at CWM hospital, St Giles, and Makoi. 19 patients are considered to be in severe condition, and 13 are in critical condition.

Screening Update

A total of 838 individuals were screened and 124 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 510,011 individuals screened and 88,217 swabbed to date. As of the 29th of August, our mobile screening teams screened a total of 330 individuals and swabbed 104. This brings our cumulative total to 809,470 individuals screened and 71,545 swabbed by our mobile teams.

Testing update

A total of 330,576 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 373,437 tested since testing began in March 2020. 772 tests have been reported for August 29th. Testing data from one lab is still being received. Testing data is therefore expected to increase. The 7-day daily test average is 1424 tests per day or 1.6 tests per 1,000 population. Weekly testing is at 12.9 tests per 1000 population, which remains above the WHO recommended level of 4 per 1000 population per week. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 20.9%, which is on a downward trend but still indicating a high level of community transmission.

Vaccination Update 

As of the 29TH August, 558,944 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 266,608 have received their second doses. This means that 95.3% of the target population have received at least one dose and 45.4% are now fully vaccinated nationwide. We are currently doing a mop-up exercise of our first dose campaign, which will allow us to specifically target communities with low coverage, and subsequently also correct and update the total eligible population for our current vaccination program.

Fijians can check the Ministry’s vaccine dashboard to find real-time data on first-dose and second-dose numbers at the national, divisional, and sub-divisional levels. You can access the live dashboard at http://bit.ly/3h2JfCZ

Epidemic Outlook

The 7-day average of new cases per day is 289 cases per day or 327 cases per million population per day. As previously announced by the Permanent Secretary, daily case numbers in Suva-Nausori are currently not being used as the sole indicator to monitor the progress of the outbreak. The Ministry is closely monitoring other indicators such as test positivity, hospitalizations, and deaths to track the progress of the outbreak.

With the decrease in testing numbers, testing remains above the WHO recommended rate of 4 per 1000 population per week (or approx. 3500 tests per week). We will be transitioning to community surveillance testing as severe disease numbers and positivity rates approach the containment phase levels.

We are still seeing a high number of cases and high test positivity of 33.5% in the Western Division indicating a very high level of community transmission. Test positivity in the Central Division is on a downward trend but still indicating a very high level of community transmission at 20.5%. Deaths have also been decreasing in Suva-Nausori over the last 4 weeks. While deaths in Western are still at a high level, with deaths per day at a 7 day average in the Western Division now surpassing the Central Division.

The outlook for the cases found in the North indicates a persistent risk of a community outbreak. Further tracing and testing results are needed to clearly understand the level of community transmission. All contacts of the first case identified are in quarantine and so far tested negative. The swabbing results from within the Nabouwalu containment area, and nearby communities are also returning negative. The Nabouwalu index case (wharf worker) is in stable condition and the members of their family have continued to test negative for the virus. All primary contacts’ exit swabs have also returned negative. As regards the three positive cases in Namara Tiri Labasa, so far, we have established 60 primary contacts. All have been swabbed and have returned negative results. There are ongoing investigations to verify the final number of contacts.

The situation in Kadavu and Malolo Island is extremely concerning as there is clear evidence of community transmission on both islands. We expect the case numbers to escalate together with the risk of severe disease and death. The death reported from Naviti Island in the Yasawas is also of concern as it also suggests there is transmission occurring on the island.

Advice to the public

Severe COVID-19

People with severe COVID-19 are still dying at home, or are coming to a medical facility in the late stages of severe illness. As mentioned by the Permanent Secretary today: 78% of COVID-19 deaths during this outbreak occurred at home, or on the way to the hospital, or within 2 days of admission to hospital – giving no or little opportunity for our clinical teams to provide potentially life-saving treatment.

Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency, and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment reduces your chance of recovering from the disease. You are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 if you are over the age of 50 or have a non-communicable disease or chronic disease like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, or if you are obese or pregnant.

If you are at high risk of severe disease and have any symptoms of COVID-19 such as a cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, body ache, headache, loss of taste/smell – please come to your nearest screening clinic to be checked and tested by our medical teams.

We need also need all Fijians to know the severe symptoms of COVID-19, which include the following:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • Severe headache for a few days
  • New confusion, inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds

In Suva-Nausori we have identified health facilities specifically designated to receive people with symptoms of severe COVID-19. If you or a loved one live in Suva-Nausori and have any of these severe symptoms please go immediately to the designated health facilities listed below.

– Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH)

– FEMAT Hospital, Vodafone Arena

Individuals in Nausori with severe symptoms should go to:

– Nausori Health Centre

– Wainibokasi Hospital

In the Western Division, please go to your nearest healthcare facility if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.

Call 165 if you are unable to travel to a medical facility. 

The public in the North are being reminded that it is important that people throughout Vanua Levu listen to advice and continue to practice COVID-19 safety measures. While all cases are related to operations on the Nabouwalu jetty, the first resided in Nabouwalu and the last 3 resided in the Namara Tiri Settlement which is near the township of Labasa.

The public is requested to practice COVID-19 safety measures of wearing a mask when leaving your home, wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer, practice safe physical distancing of 2m, ensure that the careFIJI app is downloaded on your phone and enabled and remember to get vaccinated.

Explore More

COVID-19 Update 01-12-2022

December 1, 2022 0 Comments 0 tags

COVID-19 Update Thursday 01st December Transmission Update: Since the last update on 24/11/2022, we have recorded 76 new cases and 7 reinfections. Of the 76 cases recorded, 42 cases were

COVID-19 Update – 19-11-2021

November 19, 2021 0 Comments 0 tags

Transmission Update: Since the last update, we have recorded a total of 15 new cases; of which 5 new cases were recorded on 18/11/2021, and 10 new cases in the

Twenty-eight day self-quarantine crucial to contain the spread of COVID-19

April 18, 2020 0 Comments 0 tags

Fiji currently has 17 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The Government remains on the highest alert level and will advise the public as soon as possible if more cases are found.