MHMS FIJI
MHMS FIJI

Archives 2021

COVID-19 Update – 06-07-2021
Media Release
 
COVID-19 Daily Update
 
Tuesday 6th July 2021
 
Transmission Update
 
We have 636 new cases of COVID-19 and 6 COVID-19 deaths to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. A full breakdown of areas of interest has been published online on the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard and on the Fijian Government Facebook page. You can also view the approximate locations of cases at the following link: http://bit.ly/3vE2ZBb
 
The first COVID-19 death is a 74-year-old woman from Delainavesi, Lami. She presented to the FEMAT field hospital in respiratory distress and died on the same day. She was not vaccinated.
The second COVID-19 death is a 74-year-old woman from Raiwaqa. She was admitted to CWMH Hospital for treatment of a serious non-COVID-related medical condition and later tested positive in the hospital. After investigation, her doctors have determined that her death was caused by COVID-19 and not the prior medical condition. She was not vaccinated.
 
The third COVID-19 death is an 80-year-old man, from Suva. One of our response teams was called to attend to him at home and he was then transferred to CWM Hospital after being assessed to have severe symptoms including shortness of breath. Unfortunately, he developed severe respiratory distress and died two days later. He had received the 1st dose of the vaccine in the first week of June. However, he had not received the 2nd dose and was not fully vaccinated.
 
The fourth COVID-19 death is a 43-year-old woman from Makoi. She was admitted to CWMH Hospital for treatment of a serious non-COVID-related medical condition and later tested positive in hospital. After investigation, her doctors have determined that her death was caused by COVID-19 and not her prior medical condition. She had received the 1st dose of the vaccine at the end of April. However, she had not had the 2nd dose and was not fully vaccinated.
 
The fifth COVID-19 death is a 70-year-old man from Nausori. He presented to the FEMAT field hospital in severe respiratory distress and died on the same day. He received his 1st dose of the vaccine in the first week of June. However, he had not received the 2nd dose and was not fully vaccinated.
 
The sixth COVID-19 death is a 63-year-old man from Nailuva Road. He presented to the FEMAT field hospital in severe respiratory distress and died on the same day. He was not vaccinated.
There has been one more death of a COVID-19 positive patient. However, this death has been classified as non-COVID death by doctors. Doctors have determined that his death was caused by a serious pre-existing medical condition.
 
There have now been 39 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 37 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 16 COVID-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted COVID-19.
 
There have been 31 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 5,776 active cases in isolation. There have been 7,079 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 7,149 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 1,318 recoveries.
 
Screening Update
 
A total of 6,176 individuals were screened and 1349 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 251,499 individuals screened and 35,610 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 3,819 individuals and swabbed 327 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 676,929 individuals screened and 56,152 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.
 
Testing Update
 
A total of 176,849 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 219,710 tested since testing began in early 2020. 3510 tests have been reported for July 4th. Testing number data for all labs for July 3rd is still being received and so the testing number is expected to increase once updated. The national 7-day daily test average is 3,243 tests per day or 3.7 tests per 1,000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 11.9% and continues on an upward trend.
 
Vaccination Update
 
To date, 324,462 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 54,737 have received their second doses. This means that 55% of the target population has received at least one dose and 9.3% are now fully vaccinated nationwide.
Fijians are reminded to 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 has increased to 429 cases per day or 485 cases per million population per day. As expected, with the increasing case numbers we are also seeing increasing numbers of people with severe disease and more deaths in the Suva-Nausori containment zone.
 
We continue to see people with severe COVID-19 dying at home or coming to a medical facility in the late stages of severe illness and dying within a day or two. Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment may result in a higher risk of death.
 
Steam inhalation therapy (kuvui) is commonly used as a home remedy to provide relief from congested nasal passages, and symptoms of cold or inflamed sinuses, or other mild COVID-19 symptoms. However, steam therapy is not a treatment for severe COVID-19. Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency, and relying completely on home remedies can delay urgent medical treatment.
 
We need all Fijians to know the severe symptoms of COVID-19, which include:
 
• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Severe headache for a few days
• New confusion, inability to wake or stay awake; and
• Pale, gray, or blue-coloured skin, lips or nail beds.
 
If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms please go immediately to your nearest medical facility or call 165 if unable to get to a medical facility
COVID-19 Update – 05-07-2021

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Monday, 5th July 2021

 Transmission Update

We have 352 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 COVID-19 deaths to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. A full breakdown of areas of interest has been published online on the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard and on the Fijian Government Facebook page. You can also view the approximate locations of cases at the following link: http://bit.ly/3vE2ZBb

The first COVID-19 death is a 54-year-old man from Naikurukuru, Lami. He was declared dead on arrival by the attending medical officer at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital Emergency Department. This means that he either died at home or on the way to the hospital. His family reported that the individual had been unwell for at least a week with fever, headache, and generalized weakness. He was not vaccinated.

The second COVID-19 death was a 62-year-old woman from Davuilevu who died at home. Her family reported that she had a fever, weakness, and a reduced appetite for at least three days. She was not vaccinated.

The third COVID-19 death was a 60-year-old woman, from Vatuwaqa. She presented to the FEMAT field hospital in severe respiratory distress and died on the same day. She was not vaccinated.

There have been 2 more deaths of COVID-19 positive patients. However, these 2 deaths have been classified as non-COVID deaths by doctors as their deaths have been determined to be caused by pre-existing medical conditions.

There have now been 33 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 31 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 15 COVID-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted COVID-19.

There have been 78 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 5,178 active cases in isolation. There have been 6,443 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 6,513 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 1287 recoveries.

Screening Update

A total of 1,532 individuals were screened and 480 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 245,323 individuals screened and 34,261 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 748 individuals and swabbed 596 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 673,110 individuals screened and 55,825 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

As testing number data is still being received from laboratories, testing data will be updated in tomorrow’s daily update.

Vaccination Update

To date, 318, 830 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 52,592 have received their second doses. This means that 54 % of the target population has received at least one dose and 9.0 % are now fully vaccinated nationwide.

Fijians are reminded to 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 has increased to 383 cases per day or 433 cases per million population per day. As expected, with the increasing case numbers we are also seeing increasing numbers of people with severe disease and more deaths in the Suva-Nausori containment zone.

It remains a serious concern that some people with the severe disease come to a medical facility only in the late stages of their illness. And we are still sadly seeing people with the severe disease die at home or on the way to the hospital before our medical teams have a chance to administer what could potentially be a life-saving treatment.

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

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

If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms please go immediately to your nearest medical facility.

COVID-19 Update – 04-07-2021

Media Release

COVID-19 Update

Sunday 04th July, 2021

Transmission Update

We have 522 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 COVID-19 deaths to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. A full breakdown of areas of interest has been published online on the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard and on the Fijian Government Facebook page. You can also view the approximate locations of cases at the following link: http://bit.ly/3vE2ZBb

The first death is a 93-year-old woman from Matata, Valenicinia Lami. She died at home. According to protocol she was swabbed and tested positive for COVID-19. She was not vaccinated.

The two other deaths were previously reported as under investigation to determine if the cause of death was COVID-19. Doctors have now concluded that their deaths were caused by COVID-19. The first was a 60-year-old man from Lami Village who was declared dead on arrival at the Lami Health Centre. He died at home or on the way to the health facility. According to protocol he was swabbed and tested positive for COVID-19. He was not vaccinated. The second was a 56-year-old woman from Quia in Lami who died at home. She also tested positive for COVID-19. She was not vaccinated.

Another death of a COVID-19 positive patient that was previously reported as under investigation to determine if COVID-19 was the cause of death has now been classified as a non-COVID death. Doctors have determined that the person died from a pre-existing illness and not COVID-19.

There have now been 30 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 28 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 13 COVID-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted COVID-19.

There have been 108 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 4,909 active cases in isolation. There have been 6091 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 6161 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 1209 recoveries.

Screening Update

A total of 3,610 individuals were screened and 464 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 243791individuals screened and 33,781 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 1,325 individuals and swabbed 141 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 672,362 individuals screened and 55,229 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

A total of 170,431 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 213,292 tested since testing began in early 2020. 3216 tests have been reported for 2nd July. Testing number data for all labs has now been received for June 30th and July 1st so total numbers for those days have been updated. The national 7-day daily test average is 3,144 tests per day or 3.6 tests per 1,000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 10.4% and continues on an upward trend.

Vaccination Update

To date, 317, 461 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine, and 52,001 have received their second doses. This means that 54 % of the target population has received at least one dose and 8.9 % are now fully vaccinated nationwide.

Fijians are reminded to 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 has increased to 367 cases per day or 386 cases per million population per day. As expected, with the increasing case numbers we are also seeing increasing numbers of people with severe disease and more deaths in the Suva-Nausori containment zone.

It remains a serious concern that some people with the severe disease come to a medical facility only in the late stages of their illness. And we are still sadly seeing people with the severe disease die at home or on the way to the hospital before our medical teams have a chance to administer what could potentially be a life-saving treatment.

We need all Fijians to know the severe symptoms of COVID-19, which include:
• Difficulty breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Severe headache for a few days
• New confusion, inability to wake or stay awake; and
• Pale, gray, or blue-coloured skin, lips or nail beds.

If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms please go immediately to your nearest medical facility.

COVID-19 Update – 03-07-2021

Media Release

COVID-19 Update

Saturday, 03rd July 2021

Transmission Update

We have 386 new cases of COVID-19 and 2 COVID-19 deaths to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. Five of the new cases are contacts of cases who are undergoing 14 days of quarantine in quarantine facilities in Nadi. The rest of the cases are from the Suva-Nausori containment zone. A full breakdown of areas of interest has been published online on the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard and on the Fijian Government Facebook page. You can also view the approximate locations of the new cases at the following link: http://bit.ly/3vE2ZBb.

The first death from COVID-19 is a 66-year-old woman from Valelevu who was declared dead on arrival by doctors at the emergency department at CWM Hospital. This means she died at home or on the way to the hospital. Her family reported that she had been feeling unwell at home for a few days. She was not vaccinated.

The second death was reported yesterday as being under investigation to determine if the cause of death was COVID-19. This was a 24-year-old woman from Wainibokasi admitted at the CWM Hospital for treatment of a serious non-COVID-related medical condition and later tested positive in hospital. After investigation, her doctors have determined that her death was caused by COVID-19 and not the prior medical condition. She was not vaccinated.

The death of another person who tested positive for COVID-19 is also currently under investigation to determine if COVID-19 was the cause of death.

There have now been 27 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 25 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 12 COVID-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted COVID-19. 3 deaths are under investigation to determine the cause of death.

There have been 131 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 4,496 active cases in isolation. There have been 5569 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 5639 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 1101 recoveries.

Screening Update

A total of 5816 individuals were screened and 1050 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 240,181 individuals screened and 33,317 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 2,088 individuals and swabbed 472 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 671,037 individuals screened and 55,088 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

A total of 166,501 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 209,362 tested since testing began in early 2020. 3240 tests have been reported for 1st July. This number is expected to increase as recent testing numbers from one laboratory have not yet been received. The national 7-day daily test average is 3,055 tests per day or 3.5 tests per 1,000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 10.2% and continues on an upward trend.

Vaccination Update

To date, 315,898 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 51,408 have received their second doses. This means that 54% of the target population has received at least one dose and 8.8 % are now fully vaccinated nationwide.

Fijians are reminded to 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 has increased to 330 cases per day or 373 cases per million population per day. As expected, with the increasing case numbers we are also seeing increasing numbers of people with severe disease and more deaths in the Suva-Nausori containment zone.

Of great concern is the people with severe disease that come to a medical facility in the late stages of their illness. And we are also sadly seeing people with severe diseases die at home or on the way to the hospital before our medical teams have a chance to administer what could potentially be a life-saving treatment.

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

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

If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms please go immediately to your nearest medical facility

COVID-19 Update – 02-07-2021

Media Release 

COVID-19 Update 

Friday, 02nd July 2021

Transmission Update

We have confirmed 404 cases of COVID-19 to report today. These new cases are mainly from the Central and Western Divisions. There are two cases that have been identified at the Malau Quarantine Facility. These two cases are noted to be repatriates from the Central Division and are in quarantine. A full breakdown of areas of interest has been published online on the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard and on the Fijian Government Facebook page. You can also view the approximate locations of the new cases at the following link: http://bit.ly/3vE2ZBb

We also report 5 deaths of COVID-19 positive patients in the 24-hour reporting period that ended at 8:00 am today. Out of the 5 deaths; 1 death has been classified as a COVID-19 death, 1 death has been classified as death from other medical causes and 3 deaths are currently being investigated.

The new death from COVID-19 reported today is a 72-year-old woman from Kinoya who presented to the FEMAT field hospital in severe respiratory distress. She had been sick at home with cough, fever, and shortness of breath for at least 5 days before coming to the hospital. She died at the hospital that same day. She was not vaccinated.

There have now been 25 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 23 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 12 COVID-19 positive patients who died from conditions that they had before they contracted COVID-19.

There have been 52 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 4,243 active cases in isolation. There have been 5183 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 5253 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 970 recoveries.

Screening Update

A total of 5649 individuals were screened and 1267 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 234,365 individuals screened and 32,267 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 2,442 individuals and swabbed 318 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 668,949 individuals screened and 54,616 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

A total of 163,261 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 206,122 tested since testing began in early 2020. 3,161 tests have been reported for 30 June. The national 7-day daily test average is 3,025 tests per day or 3.4 tests per 1,000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 9.5% and continues on an upward trend.

Vaccination Update

A total of 5,243 first doses and 1,141-second doses of the vaccine were administered nationally in the last 24 hours. To date, 309,293 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 49,876 have received their second doses. This means that 53% of the target population has received at least one dose and 8.5% are now fully vaccinated nationwide.

Fijians are reminded to 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 has increased to 313 cases per day or 336 cases per million population per day. There has also been a notable increase in positive patients with severe disease, as well as an increase in deaths. The steady increase in average daily case numbers in combination with other indicators suggests higher daily numbers of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the coming weeks, particularly in the Central and Western divisions.

The Ministry of Health repeats its advice that Fijians take steps to protect themselves until an adequate number of people are protected through vaccination and to be particularly vigilant in protecting people who are most vulnerable to severe infection, including the elderly, people with weakened or compromised immune systems, and people suffering from other serious conditions. Be alert to the symptoms, which include runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, fever, headache, body ache, or diarrhoea. More severe symptoms, which could indicate a medical emergency, include:

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

    If you have any of these symptoms, mild or severe, please go immediately to a nearby testing facility for evaluation.