Archives 2021

Media Release

COVID-19 Update

Saturday June 12th 2021

Daily Update

There are 47 new cases to report today. 42 of the new cases are linked to the following existing clusters:

CWMH: 19
Nawaka, Nadi: 15
IMT: 3
Waila – 1
Muanikoso- 1
Navy – 1
Reservoir Road – 2

Cases from the following areas are under investigation to determine whether they have links to other cases: Wailoku (1), Wainibuku (1), Tacirua (1), Davuilevu Housing (1). 1 case is noted to be a primary contact of an existing case, the contact tracing team are to confirm the cluster link.

A review of cases from Nadi reported this week has found that 3 cases tested positive twice, and were subsequently counted twice, due to errors with the identifying information that was entered for each test. Therefore, the 3 duplicate records have been removed from the active and total case count.

26 patients have recovered, which means there are now 702 active cases in isolation. There have been 944 cases during this outbreak that started in April 2021.

We have recorded a total of 1014 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020. There have been 304 recoveries and 4 deaths due to COVID-19. A total of 4 COVID-19 positive patients have died from pre-existing non-COVID-19 related illnesses.

Testing update

A total of 104,533 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 147,394 tested since testing began in early 2020.

3403 tests have been reported for June 11. For June 10th, the remaining testing number data has now been received from all laboratories. Therefore, the total number of tests reported for June 10th is now 4036, a new daily record for testing. The national 7-day daily test average is 3227 tests per day or 3.6 per 1000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 2%.

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MEDIA STATEMENT

Date: 12 June 2021

On the 7th June 2021, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services was notified from the Western Division of the death of a 53-year-old male, and the hospitalization of a 65-year-old female suffering severe illness following the COVID-19 vaccination.

Following thorough investigations into these two incidents by the Ministry’s clinical and vaccination safety teams, it has been determined that there is no evidence to suggest either incident was related to the individuals receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

The 53-year-old received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on 2 June 2021. That evening he experienced severe cardiac-like pain and was taken to hospital and unfortunately passed away prior to arrival. Investigations conducted by the Ministry’s team have identified the individual had a long history of cardiac pain which had not been medically assessed. The assessment by his clinicians is that he died of a heart attack.

Regarding the case of the 65-year-old, she has a long-standing history of seizure disorder and other chronic conditions making her susceptible to stroke.  The individual received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on 4 May 2021. The following day she experienced symptoms consistent with her chronic condition and was admitted to the hospital. The individual has since been discharged from the hospital, however continues to suffer medical issues. It is apparent that the individual’s ongoing medical issues are associated with her existing chronic illnesses, and not linked to her COVID-19 vaccination.

Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong said that the Ministry of Health continues to provide her family with proper medical advice for her health issues and wishes a speedy recovery to the individual from her illness.

“People do not stop getting serious illness while we are carrying out the vaccination campaign. The chance of getting a heart attack is not changed by vaccines. The evidence, based on a thorough investigation of both cases, is that neither was linked to the vaccine. They were caused by the patients’ pre-existing conditions. One was an undiagnosed pre-existing condition while the other had a known pre-existing condition. The Ministry has established a monitoring system and response plan to detect any unexpected medical event after someone has received a vaccine, which may or may not be caused by the vaccine. Any such events that may be of concern will then be thoroughly investigated to determine their cause,” said Dr Fong.

As of today, 237,940 individuals in Fiji have safely received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

For further information, please contact Dr. Rachel Devi, Head of COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Email: rachel.devi@govnet.gov.fj

Media Release                                                                   

COVID-19 Update

Friday, June 11th 2021

Daily Update

There are 51 new cases to report today. 

48 of the new cases are linked to the following existing clusters:

CWMH: 6
Nawaka, Nadi: 35
Vunimono: 2
IMT: 4
Waila – 1

1 of the new cases is noted to be a primary contact of another case, and the connection to a cluster is currently being determined by our contact tracing teams.

2 of the new cases are from Raiwai and Nakasi and are under investigation to determine whether they have links to other cases.

An individual who was admitted to the CWM Hospital’s Acute Medical Ward and then tested positive for COVID-19 has died. His doctors have determined that he died due to complications of the serious medical condition that led him to his admission to the hospital. The Ministry expresses our condolences to his family.

22 patients have recovered, which means there are now 684 active cases in isolation. There have been 900 cases during the current outbreak that started in April 2021.

We have recorded a total of 970 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020. There have been 278 recoveries and 4 deaths due to COVID-19. A total of 4 COVID-19 positive patients have died from pre-existing non-COVID-19 related illnesses.

Testing update

A total of 100,286 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 143,147 tested since testing began in early 2020.

3192 tests have been reported so far for 10th June. As more testing number data is received from the labs tonight this number is expected to increase. The national 7-day daily test average is 3082 tests per day or 3.5 per 1000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 2%.

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Statement from The Permanent Secretary for Health & Medical Services

COVID-19 Daily Update

Thursday 10 June, 2021

Transmission Update

We have 39 new cases of COVID-19 to report since yesterday’s update. 32 of the new cases are linked to the following existing clusters:

Nawaka, Nadi – 6
CWMH – 11
Nasinu Police Barracks – 5
FICAC Warehouse- 3
Navy – 2
Waila – 2
IMT – 1
Naitasiri – 1
Caubati – 1

The additional cases 7 below are under investigation to determine if they have any links to other cases:

Lami-4 cases
Toorak-1 case
Nasinu – 1 case
Reservoir Road – 1 case

The current outbreak remains primarily centred within the Lami-Suva-Nausori Containment Zone. Our mitigation strategy announced yesterday is targeted at isolating cases, treating patients who develop severe cases of the disease, and ensuring that vaccines continue to be administered to the public. In the near-term, we are concerned that Lami may see increasing numbers of cases. We also anticipate more cases from the cluster at the Police Barracks in Nasinu. Our stationary and mobile screening teams are tracing and testing known contacts and are isolating positive patients to prevent further spread of the virus.

7 patients have recovered, which means there are now 656 active cases in isolation. There have been 849 cases during the current outbreak that started in April 2021.

We have recorded a total of 919 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020. There have been 256 recoveries, and 4 deaths due to COVID-19. A total of 3 COVID-19 positive patients have died from pre-existing non-COVID-19 related illnesses.

Vaccine Update

To-date, 228,030 people in Fiji have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine administration in Nadi had been temporarily halted due to a case among the administration teams. Relevant personnel have since been cleared and vaccine administration in Nadi has resumed.

Testing Update

A total of 97,094 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 139,955 tested since testing began in early 2020.

3711 test results have been reported for 9 June. For 8 June, the remaining testing number data has now been received from all laboratories. Therefore, the total number of tests for 8 June is now 3517. The national 7-day daily test average is 3171 tests per day or 3.6 per 1000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 1.9%.

Media Release
COVID-19 Update

Wednesday June 9th 2021

Evening Summary

As announced by the Permanent Secretary there are 35 new cases to report today.

26 of the new cases are linked to the following existing clusters:

IMT: 5
CWMH: 18
Navy: 1
Nawaka, Nadi: 1
Caubati: 1

9 cases are currently under investigation to determine if they have any links to other cases. These cases are from Lami (2), Nasinu (2), Valelevu (2), Koronivia (2), Toorak (1).

15 patients have recovered, which means there are now 624 active cases in isolation. There have been 810 cases during the current outbreak that started in April 2021.

We have recorded a total of 880 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020. There have been 249 recoveries and 4 deaths due to COVID-19. A total of 3 COVID-19 positive patients have died from pre-existing non-COVID-19 related illnesses.

Testing update

A total of 93,066 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 135,927 tested since testing began in early 2020. An undercount of total tests was reported yesterday, this has been corrected in today’s update.

3200 tests have been recorded for 8th June. As more testing number data is received from the labs this number is expected to increase. The national 7-day daily test average is 3107 tests per day or 3.5 per 1000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 1.9%.

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