MHMS FIJI
MHMS FIJI

Archives 2021

COVID-19 Update 29-11-2021

COVID-19 Situation Update

Monday 29th November

Transmission Update:

Since the last update, we have recorded a total of 12 new cases; of which 4 new cases were recorded on 27/11/2021, 8 new cases were recorded on 28/11/2021, and nil new cases in the last 24 hours ending at 8 am this morning.

This epidemic curve depicts the daily positive cases since the 2nd wave of this outbreak that began in April 2021. Overall, for this 2nd wave, there have been 52,436 cases recorded, with 71% of the cases from the Central Division, 28% of the cases from the Western Division, and 1% of the cases from the Eastern and Northern Division. 

Our National 7- day rolling average is 7 daily cases calculated for 25th November 2021.
Deaths:

This curve depicts the daily death count by division since the 2nd wave of this outbreak began in April 2021. Overall, the death rate graphs for the Central and Western Divisions indicate a declining trend. The differences between the Central and Western are similar to the incidence of the daily cases and are likely a reflection of vaccination levels, COVID mitigation measures, and differences in population density.

There is no COVID-19 death to report

There have been a total of 696 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 694 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 days rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of November 25th, the national 7 days rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day is 0.0, with a case fatality rate of 1.32%.

We have recorded 604 COVID-19 positive patients who died from serious medical conditions they had before they contracted COVID-19; these are not classified as COVID-19 deaths.

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

With borders opening in the next two days, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region, and the emergence of the new variant of concern; B.1.1.529, named Omicron, noted to have several mutations, is a cause for concern. Our border health measures and surveillance will need to be strengthened and maintained.

Our weekly testing numbers of over 4,000 are still above the WHO recommended rate of 4 tests per 1,000 population per week (or approx. 3,500 tests per week) and we anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

Omicron

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has continued to review findings released by international experts on the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Based on advice from the World Health Organization released today, we note the following:

Transmissibility: It is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible (e.g., more easily spread from person to person) compared to other variants, including Delta. There is some reported field evidence of increased transmissibility in South Africa however epidemiologic studies are underway to understand if it is because of Omicron or other factors. The public is advised that if indeed the virus is more transmissible than delta, then it will be inevitable that it gets to Fiji. In this instance the current steps we are taking do not change; we work on better positioning ourselves to deal with a third wave, irrespective of whether it is through Omicron or the current Delta variant that is endemic to Fiji.

Effectiveness of vaccines: While there is ongoing effort to understand the impact of this variant on vaccines, it is important to understand that vaccines remain critical to reducing severe disease and death, including against the dominant circulating variant, Delta. Current vaccines remain effective against severe disease and death. It should be noted that South African states are poorly vaccinated compared to Fiji, and all our COVID safe measures are proven to work in reducing transmission especially within a highly vaccinated population. We are continuing our efforts to vaccinate all our children 12 to 17 years and providing booster doses to front liners and vulnerable persons.

The severity of disease: There is preliminary data suggesting increased rates of hospitalization in South Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a result of a specific infection with Omicron.  South Africa and the nearby region is a poorly vaccinated region and an increase in transmission of COVID 19, whatever the variant, will result in an increase in the number of hospitalization. Understanding the impact of the Omicron variant on disease severity, especially in the vulnerable, will take days to several weeks.

Effectiveness of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection: There are early data to suggest that people who have previously had COVID-19 could become re-infected more easily with Omicron, as compared to other variants of concern, but the information is limited. More information on this will become available in the coming days and weeks.

Effectiveness of current tests: The PCR tests used in Fiji continue to detect infection, including infection with Omicron. Concerns on the impact on other types of tests, including rapid antigen detection tests remain under study.

Effectiveness of current treatments:   Standard treatments (including Corticosteroids – Prednisone) that we have in Fiji will still be effective for managing patients with severe COVID-19.

We are being encouraged to continue to implement effective public health measures to reduce COVID-19 circulation overall, using risk analysis and a science-based approach. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is continuing to improve public health and medical capacities to manage an increase in cases. As such the remodeling of the health service provision will continue its current focus on:

  1. Community surveillance through test trace and track protocols is being escalated to help us identify and contain any outbreak early.
  2. Registration and line listing of vulnerable persons especially in poorly vaccinated areas has been done;
  3. Preparations for the monitoring of positive cases and vulnerable persons to ensure better access to appropriate care plans has been made;
  4. Clinical care protocols for the severe disease has been reviewed and strengthened;

This new variant is a reminder that for as long as there is a pandemic, Fiji will continue to face a threat from the virus and its variants. If transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID 19 Virus. Fiji citizens will only be safe if we remain COVID-safe with 2-meter physical distancing; mask wisely by carrying a mask when you out of your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, and get vaccinated when it’s your turn.

Supporting School Re-opening

COVID-19 poses a lower risk to children however secondary transmission from young school-age children can and does occur in both household and school settings. Whilst our vaccination program of children is ongoing, it is important that we appreciate that all our community-based COVID safe measures are important measures to ensure the safe return of our children to school. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is concerned about the adverse impact that school closure is causing to the mental and physical health of our children, and also to our medical programs in schools. In much the same way that we need to be COVID safe to help keep our borders open we also need to be COVID safe to help open our schools and keep them open.

Entry Conditions for Red List Countries

Fijian Government Steps-up entry conditions for red list countries in response to Omicron variant

The Fijian Government has strengthened its strict conditions for entry for incoming travelers from red list countries in response to the newly-reported Omicron variant of COVID-19.

“We’re monitoring the Omicron variant closely as it has been shown to carry significant mutations that could spell higher rates of transmissibility and virulence. We commend South Africa on identifying and publishing the first information on this new variant. So far, field evidence does suggest higher transmissibility. However, more study is needed to determine if transmissibility is truly increased if the variant is less responsive to natural and vaccine-induced immunity and if the disease caused by the variant is more severe,” said Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr. James Fong.

“The process of risk assessment for our red list and Travel Partner Countries (TPC) was developed with the knowledge that new variants of the virus were highly likely to be detected. It analyses factors such as country vaccine coverage and rates of community transmission. We will continue to rely on that assessment process moving forward.”

For Fijians located in red list countries, which have always included the Southern African States, the measures for incoming travelers are as follows:

  1. Travelers must be fully vaccinated with one of Fiji’s approved vaccines;
  2. Travelers must undergo escalated pre-departure protocols, which include self-isolation for the five days prior to travel under the oversight of the employer or sponsor and test negative on day 5 and within 72 hours prior to departure; and
  3. On arrival to Fiji, the quarantine period for travelers from red list countries will increase to 14 days with a PCR test done on arrival on day 5 and day 12.

The Fijian Government will maintain the entry conditions for all arrivals from Travel Partner Countries, which include requirements such as full vaccination with an approved COVID-19 vaccine, a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to departure, a 3-night stay in a Care-Fiji Certified hotel, and an additional COVID-19 test on Day 2 after arrival.

The preference of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is that travelers from red list countries go to a listed TPC for ten days prior to traveling to Fiji. However, given some international border restrictions, particularly in Southern Africa, we understand some Fijian citizens and residents may need to book travel directly to Fiji.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide advice on a process for the public to help us by providing information on citizens in Southern Africa so those citizens can be registered and assisted to adhere to the strict conditions for entry.

“This new variant is a reminder that for as long as there is a pandemic, Fiji will continue to face a threat from the virus and its variants. The most important step every Fijian can take in response to this variant is to become fully vaccinated and encourage others around us to do the same. We have one of the highest rates of vaccine coverage in the world –– but Fiji is safest when we achieve as close to 100% coverage as possible. And we must continue to adhere closely to the other health protection measures we know can limit the spread, including good handwashing, mask-wearing, and physical distancing.”

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is currently establishing genomic sequencing capacity within the Fiji Centre for Disease Control to process any positive samples of concern.

The Ministry is currently administering booster doses to front-line health officials and will soon deploy booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines to vulnerable members of the public.

COVID-19 Update – 26-11-2021

COVID-19 Situation Update

Friday 26th November

Transmission Update:

Since the last update, we have recorded a total of 20 new cases; of which 8 new cases were recorded on 25/11/2021, and 12 new cases in the last 24 hours ending at 8 am this morning.

This epidemic curve depicts the daily positive cases since the 2nd wave of this outbreak that began in April 2021. Overall, for this 2nd wave, there have been 52,424 cases recorded, with 71% of the cases from the Central Division, 28% of the cases from the Western Division, and 1% of the cases from the Eastern and Northern Division. 

Our National 7- day rolling average is 6 daily cases calculated for 22nd November 2021.
Deaths:

This curve depicts the daily death count by division since the 2nd wave of this outbreak began in April 2021. Overall, the death rate graphs for the Central and Western Divisions indicate a declining trend. The differences between the Central and Western are similar to the incidence of the daily cases and are likely a reflection of vaccination levels, COVID mitigation measures, and differences in population density.

There is a COVID-19 death to report

The COVID-19 death is of an 87-year-old female from the Central Division who died at home on 18/08/2021. She was not vaccinated. Please note that we are reporting this death today due to a delay in the issuance of the death certificate.

There has been a total of 696 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 694 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 days rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of November 22nd, the national 7 days rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day is 0.0, with a case fatality rate of 1.32%.

We have recorded 604 COVID-19 positive patients who died from serious medical conditions they had before they contracted COVID-19; these are not classified as COVID-19 deaths.

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths. There is a downward trend across all indicators of the COVID-19 epidemic in Fiji, indicating a positive response to our overall COVID containment and mitigation response.

With borders opening soon, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region, Fiji will need to maintain our border health measures and surveillance activities.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

Our weekly testing numbers of over 4,000 are still above the WHO recommended rate of 4 tests per 1,000 population per week (or approx. 3,500 tests per week) and we anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

The rise in vaccination rates for eligible adults continues to rise at a very slow rate. Our vaccination coverage among children aged 15 to 17, however, continues to progress at a reassuring rate. It is also reassuring to see that more than 15,000 doses of Pfizer have been deployed despite the many cold chain complexities involved in the Pfizer deployment. Whilst the demand for Pfizer deployment in children has been extremely encouraging and we applaud the enthusiasm of parents in getting their children protected, we ask that the public be patient.  We have deliberately brought in our Pfizer stocks in small batches to ensure we stay within our ultra-cold chain capacity as we learn to adjust to the Pfizer requirements and ensure that the changes we make are sustainable enough to ensure ongoing access to Pfizer for all our children.

There has also been the limited deployment of Moderna booster doses to all adults over 60 years, to those under 60 years with significant morbidity, and those under 60 in the frontline.

The Ministry is also reassured that at this time all our disease indicators are indicating a healthy trend. Unfortunately, we also see that COVID safe measures in public indoor spaces, in public transportation over land and sea, and organized outdoor gatherings are now being increasingly flouted and ignored. Poor compliance to COVID Safe measures is now more clearly visible in major businesses facilities. We do expect the third wave of cases because of excessive gatherings that are going to happen over Christmas and New Year and we continue to prepare to have the wave of severe cases in hospitals.

The public of Fiji needs to embrace society-wide promotion and compliance with COVID safe measures to ensure the 3rd wave is small; a wave we learn to live with and learn from. Whilst the easing of restrictions is needed to facilitate social and economic livelihood, the public must ensure that together with vaccination, we should continue to observe our COVID safe measures and avoid contained spaces and crowds to avoid the risk of increased spread of the virus.

Supporting School Re-opening

COVID-19 poses a lower risk to children however secondary transmission from young school-age children can and does occur in both household and school settings. Our vaccine deployment program for children aged 15 to 17 years is going well and we are planning on initiating Pfizer Vaccine deployment from the 15th of November for children aged 12 to 15 years. Conditions required to facilitate COVID safe school conditions have been discussed with the Ministry of Education and a training program to create awareness around COVID safe school conditions has been facilitated for senior education officials.

We note the recent news that the FDA has issued emergency approval for Pfizer to be given to children aged 5 to 11 years, with a pediatric dose of one-third that is given to adults and adolescents. This pediatric dose is given as two shots three weeks apart and is considered by the FDA to be safe and 90% effective.

 

MEASLES CASES IN SERUA – NAMOSI
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services would like to advise the public of recent two cases of measles in two villages in the Serua province in the Serua-Namosi Medical Sub-Division.
The two cases were identified after a child was presented to Korovisilou Health Centre and later transferred to CWM Hospital from Navua, on Wednesday 17 November 2021.
The measles case was later confirmed after testing by the Fiji Centre of Communicable Disease.
Investigation suggests that the disease transmission took place some weeks prior at a funeral gathering in a village located in the Serua / Namosi Province.
Since the identification of cases, the Ministry has initiated an immediate response through instituting a thorough investigation of households and social mobilisation within the immediate two villages, the management of confirmed cases, and the isolation of immediate family members. The Ministry has also put in place a plan of action for the Serua-Namosi Medical Sub-division.
Targeted Approach:
  • The Ministry is immediately embarking with the following actions:
  • All children aged 6 months to 11 years in the Serua-Namosi Medical Sub-division to receive one dose measles vaccination and 2 drops of Polio;
  • All children around Fiji who have turned 1 and are yet to receive their MMR vaccine are encouraged to turn up to the nearest health facility for their vaccination;
  • This includes year 1 students who have yet to get their measles vaccination.

Signs and Symptoms of Measles

Measles is a highly contagious, serious, airborne disease caused by the measles virus, and spread through air droplets as well as by direct contact. The virus infects the respiratory tract and spread throughout the body. The signs and symptoms of measles are:
  • High fever – which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus lasting 4 to 7 days
  • A runny nose
  • Cough
  • Red and watery eyes
  • Small white spots inside the cheeks in the initial stage
  • After several days a rash erupts usually on the face and upper neck, within 3 days it spreads reaching the hands and feet lasting for 5 to 6 days.
Any individual presenting with the above signs and symptoms is requested to please visit their nearest health facility for immediate attention and treatment.
COVID-19 Update – 24-11-2021

Transmission Update:

In the past 7 days, 26 cases were recorded in the Central division, 14 new cases in the Western division, 3 new cases in the Eastern Division, and nil new cases in the Northern Division. The Central Division cases constitute 71% of the cumulative total cases nationally, with the Western division making up 28% and 1% in the Northern and Eastern Divisions.

Since the last update, we have recorded 6 new cases of which nil new case was recorded on 23/11/2021 and 6 new cases in the last 24 hours ending at 8 am this morning.

The national 7-day rolling average of cases as of 20th November is 7 daily cases.

The weekly incidence rate graph by division indicates a continually declining trend. Furthermore, the peak weekly incidence in the western division was approximately a third of that in the central division, and the cumulative case numbers are also reflecting a similar difference.
Deaths:

This curve depicts the weekly death rate per 1000 population by divisions since October 2021. Overall, the death rate graphs for the Central and Western Divisions indicate a declining trend. The differences between the Central and Western are similar to the incidence of the weekly cases and are likely a reflection of vaccination levels, COVID mitigation measures, and differences in population density.

There is no COVID-19 death to report for today.

There have been 695 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 693 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 days rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of November 20th, the national 7 days rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day is 0.0, with a case fatality rate of 1.32%.

We have recorded 601 COVID-19 positive patients who died from serious medical conditions they had before they contracted COVID-19; these are not classified as COVID-19 deaths.
Hospitalisation:

The downward trend in both the new hospital admissions and total admissions in all hospitals admitting COVID-19 patients across the country is consistent with the cases and death trends. The hospital admissions continue on a downward trend indicating a sustained positive response to COVID mitigation measures, Population density differences, and differential Vaccination rates.
Testing:

344 tests have been reported for November 23rd, 2021. The 7-day daily test average is 395 tests per day or 0.4 tests per 1,000 population.

The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 2%, which is below the WHO recommendation of 5%, and this is illustrated by the lab testing graph. Though we continue testing in high-risk areas, our case numbers and test positivity rate indicate a better control of the community transmission in Fiji through the combined efforts of containment and mitigation measures with ongoing community surveillance.

Epidemic Outlook:

The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalizations, test positivity, and deaths. There is a downward trend across all indicators of the COVID-19 epidemic in Fiji, indicating a positive response to our overall COVID containment and mitigation response.

With borders opening soon, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from local and international repatriates as well as visitors entering the country.

Occupancy rates in health facilities, the occupancy rate of ICU beds, death rates, and vaccination coverage are indicators to monitor our health response capacity and we see a decreasing trend across indicators from our health facilities with increasing vaccination coverage for adults and 15-17-year-olds in Fiji. With the commencement of vaccination for 12-14-year-olds, we expect their coverage to contribute to reducing the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

Our weekly testing numbers of over 4,000 are still above the WHO recommended rate of 4 tests per 1,000 population per week (or approx. 3,500 tests per week) and we anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

The rise in vaccination rates for eligible adults continues to rise at a very slow rate. Our vaccination rate among children aged 15 to 17, however, continues to progress at a reassuring rate. It is also reassuring to see that more than 10,500 doses of Pfizer have been deployed over 6 days despite the many cold chain complexities involved in the Pfizer deployment. Whilst the demand for Pfizer deployment in children has been extremely encouraging and we applaud the enthusiasm of parents to get their children protected, we ask that the public be patient.  We have deliberately brought in our Pfizer stocks in small batches to ensure we stay within our ultra-cold chain capacity as we learn to adjust to the Pfizer requirements and ensure that the changes, we make are sustainable enough to ensure ongoing access to Pfizer for all our children.

There has also been the limited deployment of Moderna booster doses to all adults over 60 years, to those under 60 years with significant morbidity, and those under 60 in the frontline.

The Ministry is also reassured that at this time all our disease indicators are indicating a healthy trend. Unfortunately, we also see that COVID safe measures in public indoor spaces, in public transportation over land and sea, and organized outdoor gatherings are now being increasingly flouted and ignored. Poor compliance to COVID Safe measures is now more clearly visible in major businesses facilities. We do expect the third wave of cases because of excessive gatherings that are going to happen over Christmas and New Year and we continue to prepare to have the wave of severe cases in hospitals.

The public of Fiji needs to embrace society-wide promotion and compliance with COVID safe measures to ensure the 3rd wave is small; a wave we learn to live with and learn from. Whilst the easing of restrictions is needed to facilitate social and economic livelihood, the public must ensure that together with vaccination, we should continue to observe our COVID safe measures and avoid contained spaces and crowds to avoid the risk of increased spread of the virus.

Supporting International and Maritime Travel

As we continue in our efforts to open international and domestic travel, the Ministry has continued to be measured in putting in place the necessary support needed to facilitate COVID safe travel.

For international air travel, our efforts to ensure that in-country test is done in such a way the results can be collected and collated to inform timely action and thus have the protective public health effect envisioned is being refined over the coming days. We do expect that changes will be made to ensure that the public health objectives are maintained while at the same time making the measures more traveler-friendly.

In the same vein, our domestic travel measures are initially quite stringent as seen with our requirement to keep public shipping capacity to 50% however this will be reviewed as more of our red zone areas are protected through vaccination.

The Ministry of Health and Medical services, therefore, requests all travelers to bear with the individual inconveniences they may face as we incorporate the subtle process changes needed to ensure that the highest level of public health protection is maintained.

The public is reminded that we must continue to adhere to COVID-19 safe measures of wearing masks appropriately, especially in indoor public spaces, covering our coughs and sneezes, washing our hands regularly with soap and water, or using a hand sanitizer and maintaining a safe physical distancing of 2 meters.