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There are currently 16 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Fiji. The Government will advise the public as soon as possible should this change.

The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services Fever Clinic teams have been conducting mobile fever clinics in the greater Suva areas during the lockdown, since 6 April 2020. So far they have screened 38,600 people out of the 150,000 they intend to screen by Friday 16 April.

The following areas will be covered by the teams tomorrow (Tuesday 14 April):

From Valelevu to the Laqere Bridge (including Nadera, Nadawa, Nepani)

From Laqere Bridge – Laqere, Muanikoso, Makoi, Narere, Navosai up to the Wainibuku Bridge (just before the Rups complex)
When visiting homes, the team will enquire after recent travel history of family members and if any family member has been in contact with someone who has tested positive to COVID-19.

They will also look out for individuals who display COVID-19 like symptoms such as a dry cough, fever, sore throat and shortness of breath. Depending on their assessment they may check for fever of the affected person and may refer them for further investigation, which could include testing.

The mobile Fever Clinic team members always carry official identification which will be produced on request. The teams are not required to enter the house – the checkup can be held at the gate, or in a shaded area. The public is advised that the person who checks for fever wears a mask and gloves.

Members of the public are requested to cooperate with the teams by answering their questions and chaining their dogs before the teams enter their compound.

All Special Out-Patient Department (SOPD) services will not be available at the Labasa Hospital from Tuesday 14th April 2020.

Members of the public in the greater Labasa area are advised that the Special Outpatient Department (SOPD) services will be available at the following venues:

• Obstetric, Surgery and Orthopedics patients will be seen at the Scouts Hall near the Hospital next to the swimming pool.
• Medical, Eye, Pediatrics and dental patients will be seen at the Sangam School of Nursing building in Labasa Town.

A temporary fever clinic has also been set up along Jaduram Street in Labasa Town. This will be operational from Tuesday as well.

All GOPD services at the Labasa Hospital will continue at Nasea Health Center.

However, all emergencies and deliveries will still be accepted at the Labasa Hospital.

Hospital visiting hours remain reduced- from 11 am to 12 pm daily with only one visitor allowed per non-COVID 19 related patient.

Bula Vinaka. I wish every Fijian a very Happy Easter!

Any other year my wife, children and grandchildren would be joining thousands of other Fijians families at church services, planning parties and spending intimate time with friends and loved ones –– but we all know this isn’t any other year.

With the coronavirus still at our shores and Cyclone Harold’s recent devastation –– the need for solidarity with our healthcare heroes, utility workers and disciplined forces has never been greater. So, this long weekend, let us all honour the sacrifices they bravely make every day, by staying home, keeping our children home and keeping the elderly at home.

Through this week we went to incredible lengths to ensure that we did not lose an inch of ground in our war against coronavirus due to Cyclone Harold. Because unlike the cyclone, the virus won’t disappear in a day. Our coronavirus containment measures –– which depend heavily on testing, tracing, and isolating new cases –– are all in full-swing.

After testing another 32 samples, today, we received confirmation of another COVID-positive case that we had been anticipating: the 9-year-old granddaughter of the gentleman in Labasa who traveled from India.

This young girl lived in the Soasoa settlement. She has been in isolation since the 4th of April. While she wasn’t showing any symptoms, we knew she had a high risk of being infected given her close contact with her grandfather. We had her tested and she was confirmed positive late this morning.

This diagnosis takes Fiji’s case total to 16. But given the length of time this young girl spent in isolation, and the fact that she wasn’t showing symptoms, her risk of infecting others is extremely low.

This is the sixth confirmed case stemming from the gentleman in Labasa –– and it once again goes to show how long and dangerous a chain of transmission can grow if our public health directives are blatantly ignored.

So as Fijians gather with your own families this holiday weekend, I want each of you to take a moment to appreciate how much it means to have them in your life –– and how much we sometimes take that for granted. Pledge to protect them by changing your own behaviour in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Ask yourself: If I could prevent my grandparent from suffering a stroke by washing my hands, would I? If I could prevent my child from contracting cancer by staying home, would I? If I could stave off heart disease in my spouse by physically distancing, would I? The answer is obvious. Treat coronavirus no differently –– it is just as serious as any other killer, but unlike some other diseases, the power to fight it is in your own hands.

So please, going forward, treat COVID-19 with the seriousness it deserves. Protect your family, do what the authorities tell you to do –– help us break every chain of transmission in Fiji.

Thank you.