All posts by superadmin

COVID-19 Update

Wednesday 20th April

Public Advisory

Engaging COVID safety without mandates or quarantine

Since the 7th of April and the lifting of our quarantine measures and increased international travel, our community and border surveillance screening data continue to report a low positivity rate despite the ongoing pandemic, and the continued evolution of Omicron variants.

The lifting of masking and other mandates, and easing of travel restrictions, is NOT a sign that the risk of outbreak and resurgence of COVID-19 is over. We reiterate the need for each individual to assess their own level of risk and decide to continue to take measures such as masking and physical distancing. For example, we know that wearing a mask in public will lower your risk of getting infected, and it is now an individual choice and responsibility that is recommended by the Ministry. If you are at higher risk of severe disease should you get infected with COVID-19, we strongly recommend that you continue to wear a mask in public, particularly in crowded indoor spaces. The promotion of COVID-safe measures will now be pursued similar to how we advise healthy lifestyle measures for the prevention of non-communicable diseases, and how basic hygiene is promoted for the prevention of infectious diseases like typhoid fever. The measures that will continue in terms of prevention are the promotion of vaccination, personal COVID-safe hygiene habits, and workplace ventilation and air cleaning measures. We recommend everyone continue to employ COVID-safe measures to prevent infection and the spread of infection: Frequently wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, stay home if you feel sick, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the bend of your elbow if you cough or sneeze, wear a mask if you have any signs of a respiratory illness.

We also note the risk of transmission in children under 12 years, and as such we are exploring the option of requiring children under the age of 12 to also undergo pre-departure testing before travelling to Fiji. Beyond this potential change, our border protection will be mediated by the fact that travellers are vaccinated, have a negative pre-departure test, and will be tested in-country with a rapid antigen test. Currently, inbound travellers aged 12 years and above must produce proof of a pre-booked and pre-paid rapid antigen test, to be administered after 48 hours, but before 72 hours of arrival in Fiji. Booking for tests can be made through this link: https://entrytestfiji.com. There will be exemptions for those who have tested positive and recovered from COVID-19 within the 30 days before travel and have fit-to-fly certificates. Failure to comply with arrival testing once in Fiji will result in a spot fine of $1000.

Ongoing Medical Recovery Efforts

With the reduction in COVID-19 cases and in people presenting to health centres with acute respiratory illness,  the MOHMS team is in a better position to focus more on health facilities and health care provision capabilities so as to mitigate against severe disease and death. This will include the ongoing community engagement and outreach program to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment in the community, and the maintenance of health facility readiness to provide treatment. Our command centres and operation centres have been repurposed to maintain a line list of vulnerable cases in the community and to work on processes that will allow for more preemptive response and promote broader community resilience. These command centres and operation centres will also provide oversight on community surveillance indicators to ensure early and measured responses to future outbreaks.

A key focus is also on carrying out general health service work more efficiently in all facilities. With the return from annual leave of our much needed corporate staff, the process of reporting and prioritising general works, and ensuring they are communicated clearly and tracked through our command centre and operation will be improved. A key part of our plan is to set up divisional mobile units to supplement facility-based general servicing capability and also work with private providers through a process for pre-qualifying contractors and/or suppliers for each subdivision.

The engagement of General Practitioners, Private Dental Practitioners, Private Medical Laboratories, and Private Ambulance providers to support our services in a public-private partnership arrangement is also seen as a key strategy to help in our ongoing recovery efforts.

We also have reformulated a framework to better engage customer service initiatives in all health facilities. The framework will allow greater ability for senior managers to institute substantive actions and provide direct oversight over implementation plans. It will also allow the Ministry’s senior executives to track progress in implementation and ensure that annual operation plans reflect an evolving and progressive change narrative in the successive plans. These initiatives will also include the processing of internal communications to facilitate timely decision making and action within the Ministry.

COVID-19 Vaccination

As of the 20th of April, a total of 121,714 individuals have so far received booster doses. The booster dose interval for eligible persons has been reduced to 3 months from the 2nd dose. This is in recognition of the risk of disease surge based on waning 2 doses covid vaccine protection, slow booster uptake, increased international travel with the relaxation of border measures, and ongoing outbreaks in various parts of the world. Moderna vaccine and Pfizer vaccines are both available for adult booster doses.

The public is urged to get booster vaccine doses, and the list of vaccination sites is provided daily on the MOH webpage. Given the competing health priority issues, I have instructed our health teams to go back to the health facilities and do targeted booster programs for the vulnerable and the willing and to focus on our 12 to 18-year-olds through the school vaccination program. Furthermore, we can confirm that we have accepted an offer of 50,000 doses of Pfizer paediatric doses for children aged 5 to 11 by the Aotearoa New Zealand Government. Our vaccination team is currently discussing with counterparts in NZ on further details while our efforts to source more through our other development partners are ongoing.

Our school vaccination program has also been progressing such that with the 94% adult coverage rate, 88% of all persons over 12 years have had 2 doses of the COVID 19 vaccine.

We will continue to monitor the evidence on post-infection immunity based on quality data that is being generated globally.  However, until we have a better sense of the role of post-infection immunity, the Ministry of Health will continue to define our level of protection based on vaccination numbers

Given the current stocks of Pfizer vaccine we have we are using the Pfizer vaccine for the ongoing primary 2 dose schedule of children and adults, and as the booster dose.

Our statements will be released on Monday and Thursday starting next week. Hence the next statement following this will be on Monday 25th April.

COVID-19 Update

Monday 18th April

Public Advisory

Engaging COVID safety without mandates or quarantine

Since the 7th of April and the lifting of our quarantine measures and increased international travel, our community and border surveillance screening data continue to report a low positivity rate despite the ongoing pandemic, and the continued evolution of Omicron variants.

The lifting of masking and other mandates, and easing of travel restrictions, is NOT a sign that the risk of outbreak and resurgence of COVID-19 is over. We reiterate the need for each individual to assess their own level of risk and decide to continue to take measures such as masking and physical distancing. For example, we know that wearing a mask in public will lower your risk of getting infected, and it is now an individual choice and responsibility that is recommended by the Ministry. If you are at higher risk of severe disease should you get infected with COVID-19, we strongly recommend that you continue to wear a mask in public, particularly in crowded indoor spaces. The promotion of COVID-safe measures will now be pursued similar to how we advise healthy lifestyle measures for the prevention of non-communicable diseases, and how basic hygiene is promoted for the prevention of infectious diseases like typhoid fever. The measures that will continue in terms of prevention are the promotion of vaccination, personal COVID-safe hygiene habits, and workplace ventilation and air cleaning measures. We recommend everyone continue to employ COVID-safe measures to prevent infection and the spread of infection: Frequently wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, stay home if you feel sick, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the bend of your elbow if you cough or sneeze, wear a mask if you have any signs of a respiratory illness.

We also note the risk of transmission in children under 12 years, and as such we are exploring the option of requiring children under the age of 12 to also undergo pre-departure testing before travelling to Fiji. Beyond this potential change, our border protection will be mediated by the fact that travellers are vaccinated, have a negative pre-departure test, and will be tested in-country with a rapid antigen test. Currently, inbound travellers aged 12 years and above must produce proof of a pre-booked and pre-paid rapid antigen test, to be administered after 48 hours, but before 72 hours of arrival in Fiji. Booking for tests can be made through this link: https://entrytestfiji.com. There will be exemptions for those who have tested positive and recovered from COVID-19 within the 30 days before travel and have fit-to-fly certificates. Failure to comply with arrival testing once in Fiji will result in a spot fine of $1000.

Ongoing Medical Recovery Efforts

With the reduction in COVID-19 cases and in people presenting to health centres with acute respiratory illness,  the MOHMS team is in a better position to focus more on health facilities and health care provision capabilities so as to mitigate against severe disease and death. This will include the ongoing community engagement and outreach program to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment in the community, and the maintenance of health facility readiness to provide treatment. Our command centres and operation centres have been repurposed to maintain a line list of vulnerable cases in the community and to work on processes that will allow for more preemptive response and promote broader community resilience. These command centres and operation centres will also provide oversight on community surveillance indicators to ensure early and measured responses to future outbreaks.

A key focus is also on carrying out general health service work more efficiently in all facilities. With the return from annual leave of our much needed corporate staff, the process of reporting and prioritising general works, and ensuring they are communicated clearly and tracked through our command centre and operation will be improved. A key part of our plan is to set up divisional mobile units to supplement facility-based general servicing capability and also work with private providers through a process for pre-qualifying contractors and/or suppliers for each subdivision.

The engagement of General Practitioners, Private Dental Practitioners, Private Medical Laboratories, and Private Ambulance providers to support our services in a public-private partnership arrangement is also seen as a key strategy to help in our ongoing recovery efforts.

We also have reformulated a framework to better engage customer service initiatives in all health facilities. The framework will allow greater ability for senior managers to institute substantive actions and provide direct oversight over implementation plans. It will also allow the Ministry’s senior executives to track progress in implementation and ensure that annual operation plans reflect an evolving and progressive change narrative in the successive plans. These initiatives will also include the processing of internal communications to facilitate timely decision making and action within the Ministry.

COVID-19 Vaccination

As of the 18th of April, a total of 121,403 individuals have so far received booster doses. The booster dose interval for eligible persons has been reduced to 3 months from the 2nd dose. This is in recognition of the risk of disease surge based on waning 2 doses covid vaccine protection, slow booster uptake, increased international travel with the relaxation of border measures, and ongoing outbreaks in various parts of the world. Moderna vaccine and Pfizer vaccines are both available for adult booster doses.

The public is urged to get booster vaccine doses, and the list of vaccination sites is provided daily on the MOH webpage. Given the competing health priority issues, I have instructed our health teams to go back to the health facilities and do targeted booster programs for the vulnerable and the willing and to focus on our 12 to 18-year-olds through the school vaccination program. Furthermore, we can confirm that we have accepted an offer of 50,000 doses of Pfizer paediatric doses for children aged 5 to 11 by the Aotearoa New Zealand Government. Our vaccination team is currently discussing with counterparts in NZ on further details while our efforts to source more through our other development partners are ongoing.

Our school vaccination program has also been progressing such that with the 94% adult coverage rate, 88% of all persons over 12 years have had 2 doses of the COVID 19 vaccine.

We will continue to monitor the evidence on post-infection immunity based on quality data that is being generated globally.  However, until we have a better sense of the role of post-infection immunity, the Ministry of Health will continue to define our level of protection based on vaccination numbers

Given the current stocks of Pfizer vaccine we have we are using the Pfizer vaccine for the ongoing primary 2 dose schedule of children and adults, and as the booster dose.

Leptospirosis, Typhoid and Dengue fever

Leptospirosis

There have been 1717 lab-confirmed cases of leptospirosis this year, with 79 new cases to report since the last update a week ago. A slight upward trend in cases is noted approaching the outbreak alert threshold nationally. This trend continues to be driven by the Western Division.

Case numbers in the Western Division continue to fluctuate in terms of the direction of the trend, but overall numbers remain above the outbreak alert threshold, indicating more cases than the expected number for this time of the year for this endemic disease. In the West, there have been 712 lab-confirmed cases, with 40 new cases since the last update.

In the Central Division, there have been 606 cases, with 44 new cases in the last week, including 20 in the last week. Case numbers have continued to remain below the outbreak threshold in Central in the last week, and are now at the level expected for this time of the year.

In the Northern Division, there have been 348 cases, with 19 new cases in the last week. Duplicate entries have been corrected after a recent review of laboratory data, which has resulted in a reduction of the total cases reported from the North. Case numbers have continued to remain below the outbreak threshold in the Northern Division, however, a slight upward trend has been noted in the last week, with case numbers now just above the average number of cases expected at this time of the year.

In the Eastern Division, there have been 51 cases, with 3 new cases reported since the last update. Case numbers have continued to remain below the outbreak threshold and are at the average number seen at this time of the year.

For national leptospirosis hospital admissions so far this year, there have been 565 people admitted in total- noting that this includes suspected and lab-confirmed cases. Total leptospirosis hospital admissions this year by division are as follows:

• 318 people have been admitted to the hospital for leptospirosis in the West, with 18 new admissions last week, indicating a declining trend in admissions for leptospirosis when compared to the 27 admissions in the previous week.
• 158 people have been admitted to the hospital for leptospirosis in Central with 2 new admissions last week, a downward trend compared to the 7 admissions in the previous week.
• 71 people have been admitted to the hospital for leptospirosis in the Northern Division, with 11 new admissions in the last week, which is an increase in the admission trend compared to the 10 admissions in the week before, and 4 admissions 3 weeks ago. 10 of the new admissions were at Labasa hospital and 1 in Nabouwalu hospital.
• 18 people have been admitted to hospital in the Eastern Division, with 1 new admission in the last week, indicating a downward trend.

There have been no new leptospirosis deaths to report since the last update. There have been a total of 35 deaths from leptospirosis this year, with 26 in the Western Division, 3 in Central, and 6 in the North.

Prevention

The leptospirosis bacteria is spread to humans through the urine of infected animals, such as cows, pigs, rats, and dogs. To reduce your individual risk, it is important to understand that exposure to animals, soil, mud, and floodwaters during work or recreational activities increases your risk of infection.

Important prevention measures include wearing full covered footwear at all times when going outdoors, avoiding wading or swimming in flooded waters, using clean fresh water to wash up after exposure to muddy waters, and keeping all food and drinks covered and away from rats. For workplaces, practice good personal hygiene at all times, cover cuts and wounds well, and use protective equipment, especially footwear when in flooded and/or muddy areas.

We are also urging all parents and guardians to prevent children from playing in the mud or swimming in flooded rivers or creeks, and ensure that they wear shoes when outside.

Symptoms and treatment

Early treatment can decrease the severity and duration of the disease. Please seek medical care if you have recently had contact with floodwaters, mud, or animals, and develop the following symptoms: fever, muscle pain, headache. You may also have red eyes, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, or feel weak.

Leptospirosis can be treated with appropriate antibiotic medications prescribed by a doctor if treatment is sought early. Danger signs for severe leptospirosis include shortness of breath, coughing blood, chest pain, yellow eyes/skin (jaundice), signs of bleeding (including unexplained bruising), decreased or increased urination, difficulty staying awake. Severe leptospirosis is life-threatening, and anyone with these symptoms must be taken to the hospital immediately.

Typhoid fever

There have been 96 lab-confirmed cases of typhoid fever this year, with 3 new cases in the last week.

For the Central, Northern, and Eastern Divisions, typhoid cases are below the average, or at the average numbers expected for this time of the year. Western Division case numbers have been above the outbreak alert threshold until last week when they dropped below alert thresholds. There have been 56 cases in the West, with 1 new case reported since the last update. The case numbers in the West have been driven this year by localized outbreaks in communities in Ra, Lautoka, Sigatoka and Nadi.

Typhoid fever is typically found in areas that do not have access to proper toilet facilities and/or clean drinking water. We strongly encourage people who live in rural areas, informal urban areas, and any other areas where access to clean drinking water is limited, to boil all drinking water. We must all also continue to practice basic hygiene measures such as frequently washing hands with soap and water, especially after visiting the toilet and before eating or preparing food.

Dengue Fever

There have been 1555 lab-confirmed cases of dengue fever so far this year, with 202 new cases since the last update, including 75 cases in the last week. Case numbers are within the expected range for this time of the year at the national level, in the Central, Eastern, and Northern Divisions. However, case numbers remain above the outbreak alert threshold in the Western Division, though there has been a downward trend in the last week. In the West, there have been 552 cases, with 81 new cases reported since the last update, including 29 new cases in the last week.

We continue to urge everyone to get rid of potential mosquito breeding places, such as empty containers inside and outside your homes that may collect water, including discarded tires, flower vases, and pot plant bases. Protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes by using mosquito screens in your home, and mosquito repellents.

COVID-19 Update

Friday 15th April

Public Advisory

Engaging COVID safety without mandates or quarantine

Since the 7th of April and the lifting of our quarantine measures and increased international travel, our community and border surveillance screening data continue to report a low positivity rate despite the ongoing pandemic, and the continued evolution of Omicron variants.

The lifting of masking and other mandates, and easing of travel restrictions, is NOT a sign that the risk of outbreak and resurgence of COVID-19 is over. We reiterate the need for each individual to assess their own level of risk and decide to continue to take measures such as masking and physical distancing. For example, we know that wearing a mask in public will lower your risk of getting infected, and it is now an individual choice and responsibility that is recommended by the Ministry. If you are at higher risk of severe disease should you get infected with COVID-19, we strongly recommend that you continue to wear a mask in public, particularly in crowded indoor spaces. The promotion of COVID-safe measures will now be pursued similar to how we advise healthy lifestyle measures for the prevention of non-communicable diseases, and how basic hygiene is promoted for the prevention of infectious diseases like typhoid fever. The measures that will continue in terms of prevention are the promotion of vaccination, personal COVID-safe hygiene habits, and workplace ventilation and air cleaning measures. We recommend everyone continue to employ COVID-safe measures to prevent infection and the spread of infection: Frequently wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, stay home if you feel sick, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the bend of your elbow if you cough or sneeze, wear a mask if you have any signs of a respiratory illness.

We also note the risk of transmission in children under 12 years, and as such we are exploring the option of requiring children under the age of 12 to also undergo pre-departure testing before travelling to Fiji. Beyond this potential change, our border protection will be mediated by the fact that travellers are vaccinated, have a negative pre-departure test, and will be tested in-country with a rapid antigen test. Currently, inbound travellers aged 12 years and above must produce proof of a pre-booked and pre-paid rapid antigen test, to be administered after 48 hours, but before 72 hours of arrival in Fiji. Booking for tests can be made through this link: https://entrytestfiji.com. There will be exemptions for those who have tested positive and recovered from COVID-19 within the 30 days before travel and have fit-to-fly certificates. Failure to comply with arrival testing once in Fiji will result in a spot fine of $1000.

Ongoing Medical Recovery Efforts

With the reduction in COVID-19 cases and in people presenting to health centres with acute respiratory illness,  the MOHMS team is in a better position to focus more on health facilities and health care provision capabilities so as to mitigate against severe disease and death. This will include the ongoing community engagement and outreach program to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment in the community, and the maintenance of health facility readiness to provide treatment. Our command centres and operation centres have been repurposed to maintain a line list of vulnerable cases in the community and to work on processes that will allow for more preemptive response and promote broader community resilience. These command centres and operation centres will also provide oversight on community surveillance indicators to ensure early and measured responses to future outbreaks.

A key focus is also on carrying out general health service work more efficiently in all facilities. With the return from annual leave of our much needed corporate staff, the process of reporting and prioritising general works, and ensuring they are communicated clearly and tracked through our command centre and operation will be improved. A key part of our plan is to set up divisional mobile units to supplement facility-based general servicing capability and also work with private providers through a process for pre-qualifying contractors and/or suppliers for each subdivision.

The engagement of General Practitioners, Private Dental Practitioners, Private Medical Laboratories, and Private Ambulance providers to support our services in a public-private partnership arrangement is also seen as a key strategy to help in our ongoing recovery efforts.

We also have reformulated a framework to better engage customer service initiatives in all health facilities. The framework will allow greater ability for senior managers to institute substantive actions and provide direct oversight over implementation plans. It will also allow the Ministry’s senior executives to track progress in implementation and ensure that annual operation plans reflect an evolving and progressive change narrative in the successive plans. These initiatives will also include the processing of internal communications to facilitate timely decision making and action within the Ministry.

COVID-19 Vaccination

As of the 14th of April, a total of 121,403 individuals have so far received booster doses. The booster dose interval for eligible persons has been reduced to 3 months from the 2nd dose. This is in recognition of the risk of disease surge based on waning 2 doses covid vaccine protection, slow booster uptake, increased international travel with the relaxation of border measures, and ongoing outbreaks in various parts of the world. Moderna vaccine and Pfizer vaccines are both available for adult booster doses.

The public is urged to get booster vaccine doses, and the list of vaccination sites is provided daily on the MOH webpage. Given the competing health priority issues, I have instructed our health teams to go back to the health facilities and do targeted booster programs for the vulnerable and the willing and to focus on our 12 to 18-year-olds through the school vaccination program. Furthermore, we can confirm that we have accepted an offer of 50,000 doses of Pfizer paediatric doses for children aged 5 to 11 by the Aotearoa New Zealand Government. Our vaccination team is currently discussing with counterparts in NZ on further details while our efforts to source more through our other development partners are ongoing.

Our school vaccination program has also been progressing such that with the 94% adult coverage rate, 88% of all persons over 12 years have had 2 doses of the COVID 19 vaccine.

We will continue to monitor the evidence on post-infection immunity based on quality data that is being generated globally.  However, until we have a better sense of the role of post-infection immunity, the Ministry of Health will continue to define our level of protection based on vaccination numbers

Given the current stocks of Pfizer vaccine we have we are using the Pfizer vaccine for the ongoing primary 2 dose schedule for children and adults, and as the booster dose.

COVID-19 Update

Wednesday 13th April

Public Advisory

Engaging COVID safety without mandates or quarantine

Since the 7th of April and the lifting of our quarantine measures and increased international travel, our community and border surveillance screening data continue to report a low positivity rate despite the ongoing pandemic, and the continued evolution of Omicron variants. Two worksites had reported positive cases in travellers however any potential outbreak was contained mostly due to rapid reporting by the workplace and test site provider and urgent action taken in tandem with MOHMS teams. The MOHMS team would like to take this opportunity to thank EFL and the medical teams in Tavua and Vunidawa for their commitment to keeping Fiji COVID Safe. In both instances, the workplace and individuals concerned reflected well the ideals of individuals being responsible for keeping themselves safe with the measures that are available and known to be effective.

The lifting of masking and other mandates, and easing of travel restrictions, is NOT a sign that the risk of outbreak and resurgence of COVID-19 is over. We reiterate the need for each individual to assess their own level of risk and decide to continue to take measures such as masking and physical distancing. For example, we know wearing a mask in public will lower your risk of getting infected, and it is now an individual choice and responsibility that is recommended by the Ministry. If you are at higher risk of severe disease should you get infected with COVID-19, we strongly recommend that you continue to wear a mask in public, particularly in crowded indoor spaces. The promotion of COVID-safe measures will now be pursued similar to how we advise healthy lifestyle measures for the prevention of non-communicable diseases, and how basic hygiene is promoted for the prevention of infectious diseases like typhoid fever. The measures that will continue in terms of prevention are the promotion of vaccination, personal COVID-safe hygiene habits, and workplace ventilation and air cleaning measures. We recommend everyone continue to employ COVID-safe measures to prevent infection and the spread of infection: Frequently wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, stay home if you feel sick, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the bend of your elbow if you cough or sneeze, wear a mask if you have any signs of a respiratory illness.

We also note the risk of transmission in children under 12 years, and as such we are exploring the option of requiring children under the age of 12 to also undergo pre-departure testing before travelling to Fiji. Beyond this potential change, our border protection will be mediated by the fact that travellers are vaccinated, have a negative pre-departure test, and will be tested in-country with a rapid antigen test. Currently, inbound travellers aged 12 years and above must produce proof of a pre-booked and pre-paid rapid antigen test, to be administered after 48 hours, but before 72 hours of arrival in Fiji. Booking for tests can be made through this link: https://entrytestfiji.com. There will be exemptions for those who have tested positive and recovered from COVID-19 within the 30 days before travel and have fit to fly certificates. Failure to comply with arrival testing once in Fiji will result in a spot fine of $1000.

Ongoing Medical Recovery Efforts

With the reduction in COVID-19 cases and in people presenting to health centres with acute respiratory illness,  the MOHMS team is in a better position to focus more on health facilities and health care provision capabilities so as to mitigate against severe disease and death. This will include the ongoing community engagement and outreach program to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment in the community, and the maintenance of health facility readiness to provide treatment. Our command centres and operation centres have been repurposed to maintain a line list of vulnerable cases in the community and to work on processes that will allow for more preemptive response and promote broader community resilience. These command centres and operation centres will also provide oversight on community surveillance indicators to ensure early and measured responses to future outbreaks.

A key focus is also on carrying out general service work more efficiently in all facilities. With the return from a leave of our much needed corporate staff, the process of reporting and prioritising general works, and ensuring they are communicated clearly and tracked through our command centre and operation will be improved. A key part of our plan is to set up divisional mobile units to supplement facility-based general servicing capability and also work with private providers through a process for pre-qualifying contractors and/or suppliers for each subdivision.

The engagement of General Practitioners, Private Dental Practitioners, Private Medical Laboratories, and Private Ambulance providers to support our services to the general public in a public-private partnership arrangement is also seen as a key strategy to help in our ongoing recovery efforts.

We also have reformulated a framework to better engage customer service initiatives in all health facilities. The framework will allow greater ability for senior managers to institute substantive actions and provide direct oversight over implementation plans. It will also allow the Ministry’s senior executives to track progress in implementation and ensure that annual operation plans reflect an evolving and progressive change narrative in the successive plans. These initiatives will also include the processing of internal communications to facilitate timely decision making and action within the Ministry.

COVID-19 Vaccination

As of the 13th of April, a total of 121,230 individuals have so far received booster doses. The booster dose interval for eligible persons has been reduced to 3 months from the 2nd dose. This is in recognition of the risk of disease surge based on waning 2 doses covid vaccine protection, slow booster uptake, increased international travel with the relaxation of border measures and ongoing outbreaks in various parts of the world. Moderna vaccine and Pfizer vaccines are both available for adult booster doses.

The public is urged to get booster vaccine doses, and the list of vaccination sites is provided daily on the MOH webpage. The booster dose has been approved for deployment at a reduced post-dose 2 interval of 3 months compared to 5 months before. Given the competing issues, I have instructed teams to go back to health facilities and do targeted booster programs for the vulnerable and the willing and to focus on our 12 to 18-year-olds through the school vaccination program. Furthermore, we can confirm that we have accepted an offer of 50,000 doses of Pfizer paediatric doses for children aged 5 to 11 by the Aotearoa New Zealand Government. Our vaccination team is currently discussing with counterparts in NZ on further details. while our efforts to source more through our other development partners are ongoing.

Our school vaccination program has also been progressing such that with the 94% adult coverage rate, 88% of all persons over 12 years have had 2 doses of the COVID 19 vaccine.

We will continue to monitor the evidence on post-infection immunity based on quality data that is being generated globally.  However, until we have a better sense of the role of post-infection immunity, the Ministry of Health will continue to define our level of protection based on vaccination numbers

Given the current stocks of Pfizer vaccine we have, we will be using Pfizer for the ongoing primary 2 dose schedule for children and adults and as the booster dose.

COVID-19 Update

Monday 11th April

Public Advisory

Engaging COVID safety without mandates or quarantine

As of the 7th of April, all quarantine measures at the border are now lifted. This includes the 10-day border quarantine for travellers from non-travel partner countries, and the 3-day hotel stay for travellers from travel partner countries. The travel partner country system is also being discontinued. Our border protection will be mediated by the fact that travellers are vaccinated, have a negative pre-departure test and will be tested in-country by a rapid antigen test. Travellers 12 years and above must produce proof of a pre-booked and pre-paid rapid antigen test, to be administered in Fiji after 48 hours, but before 72 hours of arrival in Fiji. Booking for tests can be made through this link: https://entrytestfiji.com. There will be exemptions for those with fit to fly certificates. Failure to comply with arrival testing once in Fiji will result in a spot fine of $1000.

As such the onus is now, more firmly on every individual to keep themselves safe with the measures that are available and known to be effective. We leave it to you to assess your own level of risk and decide to continue to take measures such as masking and social distancing. For example, we know wearing a mask in public will lower your risk of getting infected, and it is now an individual choice that is recommended by the Ministry. If you are at higher risk of severe disease should you get infected with COVID-19, we strongly recommend that you continue to wear a mask in public, particularly in crowded indoor spaces.

The lifting of masking and other mandates, and easing of travel restrictions, is NOT a sign that the risk of outbreak and resurgence of COVID-19 is over. It is only a reflection of MOHMS ‘appreciation that all that can be done to engage the community to live safely with the risk of COVID-19 has been done. The impact of COVID-19 has been seen and the results of collective response have been experienced and reported.

The promotion of COVID-safe measures will now be pursued similar to how we advise healthy lifestyle measures for the prevention of non-communicable diseases, and how basic hygiene is promoted for the prevention of infectious diseases like typhoid fever. The measures that will continue in terms of prevention are the promotion of vaccination, personal COVID-safe hygiene habits, and workplace ventilation and air cleaning measures. We recommend everyone continue to employ COVID-safe measures to prevent infection and the spread of infection: Frequently wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, stay home if you feel sick, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the bend of your elbow if you cough or sneeze, wear a mask if you have any signs of a respiratory illness.

However, while we are now moving towards individual responsibility, we will keep in reserve the ability to reinstitute collective action in the future. COVID is endemic to Fiji and is present in almost every country in the world, and as such the risk of resurgence will continue, with the highest risk to the unvaccinated, those with waning immunity, and those who have not had a vaccine booster dose. More importantly, the vulnerable among us will be susceptible to severe disease and death (even if they are vaccinated) when compared to the non-vulnerable group. Also, the non-vulnerable and mobile (e.g. young adults and adolescents) will always be able to transmit disease to the vulnerable. We expect that with the upcoming general elections, population mixing will be unavoidable.

Ongoing Medical Recovery Efforts

With the reduction in covid cases and reduction in people presenting to health centres with acute respiratory illness, the MOHMS team is in a better position to focus more on health facilities and health care provision capabilities so as to mitigate against severe disease and death. This will include the ongoing community engagement and outreach program to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment in the community, and the maintenance of health facility readiness to provide treatment. Our command centres and operation centres have been repurposed to maintain a line list of vulnerable cases in the community and to work on processes that will allow for more preemptive response and promote broader community resilience. These command centres and operation centres will also provide oversight on community surveillance indicators to ensure early and measured responses to future outbreaks.

A key focus is also on carrying out general service work more efficiently in all facilities. With the return of our much needed corporate staff, the process of reporting and prioritising general works, and ensuring they are communicated clearly and tracked through our command centre and operation will be improved. A key part of our plan is to set up divisional mobile units to supplement facility-based general servicing capability and also work with private providers through a process for pre-qualifying contractors and/or suppliers for each subdivision.

The engagement of General Practitioners, Private Dental Practitioners, Private Medical Laboratories, and Private Ambulance providers to support our services to the general public in a public-private partnership arrangement is also seen as a key strategy to help in our ongoing recovery efforts.

Surge Update

As mentioned, the most recent data do indicate an increase in the recent week of suspected and confirmed cases of leptospirosis, and dengue fever. This trend is seen mostly in the Western division and is consistent with the high level of rainfall that is expected to persist over this weekend. The risk of disease resurgence and resulting in severe outcomes can only be mitigated by adherence to public health measures. The medical advice we provide needs to be followed, while we continue to mount our public health and clinical response. Please heed our advice to protect yourselves and your loved ones.

Leptospirosis

Prevention

Leptospirosis bacteria is spread to humans through the urine of infected animals, such as cows, pigs, rats, and dogs. To reduce your individual risk, it is important to understand that exposure to animals, soil, mud, and floodwaters during work or recreational activities increases your risk of infection.

Important prevention measures include wearing full covered footwear at all times when going outdoors, avoiding wading or swimming in flooded waters, using clean fresh water to wash up after exposure to muddy waters, and keeping all food and drinks covered and away from rats. For workplaces, practice good personal hygiene at all times, cover cuts and wounds well, and use protective equipment, especially footwear when in flooded and/or muddy areas.

We are also urging all parents and guardians to prevent children from playing in the mud or swimming in flooded rivers or creeks, and ensure that they wear shoes when outside.

Symptoms and treatment

Early treatment can decrease the severity and duration of the disease. Please seek medical care if you have recently had contact with floodwaters, mud, or animals, and develop the following symptoms: fever, muscle pain, headache. You may also have red eyes, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, or feel weak.

Leptospirosis can be treated with appropriate antibiotic medications prescribed by a doctor if treatment is sought early. Danger signs for severe leptospirosis include shortness of breath, coughing blood, chest pain, yellow eyes/skin (jaundice), signs of bleeding (including unexplained bruising), decreased or increased urination, difficulty staying awake. Severe leptospirosis is life-threatening, and anyone with these symptoms must be taken to the hospital immediately.

Typhoid fever

Typhoid fever is typically found in areas that do not have access to proper toilet facilities and/or clean drinking water. We strongly encourage people who live in rural areas, informal urban areas, and any other areas where access to clean drinking water is limited, to boil all drinking water. We must all also continue to practice basic hygiene measures such as frequently washing hands with soap and water, especially after visiting the toilet and before eating or preparing food.

The preliminary reports from our WASH projects in the Northern division have shown that when communities focus on ensuring good water supply, practising proper hand hygiene, having proper human waste disposal (hygienic toilet facilities), and complete treatment of those with the disease, outbreaks of typhoid can be stopped in the community; and the overall prevalence of typhoid fever will decrease. Thus, we encourage all our communities to focus on clean and hygienic WASH facilities to stop the spread of typhoid fever in the community.

Dengue Fever

We continue to urge everyone to get rid of potential mosquito breeding places, such as empty containers inside and outside your homes that may collect water, including discarded tires, flower vases, and pot plant bases. Protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes by using mosquito screens in your home, and mosquito repellents.

COVID-19 Vaccination

As of the 11th of April, a total of 120,173 individuals have so far received booster doses. The booster dose interval for eligible persons has been reduced. This is in recognition of the risk of disease surge based on waning 2 doses covid vaccine protection, slow booster uptake, increased international travel with the relaxation of border measures and ongoing outbreaks in various parts of the world. We have provided advice for members of the public to obtain their booster dose after at least 3 months from their second COVID-19 vaccine dose. Moderna vaccine and Pfizer vaccines are both available for adult booster doses.

The public is urged to get booster vaccine doses, and the list of vaccination sites is provided daily on the MOH webpage. The booster dose has been approved for deployment at a reduced post-dose 2 interval of 3 months compared to 5 months before. Given the competing issues, I have instructed teams to go back to health facilities and do targeted booster programs for the vulnerable and the willing and to focus on our 12 to 18-year-olds through the school vaccination program. Furthermore, we can confirm that we have accepted an offer of 50,000 doses of Pfizer Paediatric doses by the Aotearoa New Zealand Government as part of discussions with their Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta. Our team led by Dr Tudravu is currently discussing with counterparts in NZ on further details. while our efforts to source more through our other development partners are ongoing.

Our school vaccination program has also been progressing such that with the 94% adult coverage rate, 88% of all persons over 12 years have had 2 doses of the COVID 19 vaccine.

We will continue to monitor the evidence on post-infection immunity based on quality data that is being generated globally.  However, until we have a better sense of the role of post-infection immunity, the Ministry of Health will continue to define our level of protection based on vaccination numbers

Given the current stocks of Pfizer vaccine we have, we will be using Pfizer for the ongoing primary 2 dose schedule for children and adults and as the booster dose.