Media Release 

COVID-19 Daily Update

Saturday 10^th July 2021

Transmission Update

We have  506 new cases of COVID-19 and 1 COVID-19 death to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8am today. A full breakdown of areas of interest will be published online tonight on the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard and on the Fijian Government Facebook page. You will also be able to view the approximate locations of the new cases on the dashboard tomorrow at the following link: http://bit.ly/3vE2ZBb.

The COVID-19 death we are reporting today is a 55 year old woman from Nabua. A Ministry response team attended to her at a medical facility and transferred her to the CWM Hospital after she reported having severe symptoms of COVID-19. Her condition worsened in hospital and she died 2 days after admission. She was not vaccinated.

There have been two more deaths of COVID-19 positive patients. However, their deaths have been classified as non-COVID deaths by their doctors. Doctors have determined that their deaths were caused by serious pre-existing medical conditions.

There have now been 52 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 50 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 21 COVID-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted COVID-19; these are not classified as COVID-19 deaths. 1 death of a COVID-19 positive patient remains under investigation.

There have been 179 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 8,256 active cases. There have been 9,957 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 10,027 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 1,697 recoveries.

Screening Update

A total of 6,806 individuals were screened and 1,928 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 277,956 individuals screened and 42,645 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 2,938 individuals and swabbed 555 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 690,203 individuals screened and 57,860 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

192,536 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 235,397 tested since testing began in early 2020. 3447 tests have been reported for July 8th. Testing number data for all labs for July 8th are still being received and so the testing number is expected to increase once updated. Testing numbers for July 6th and 7th from more labs has now been received and total test numbers for those days have now been updated. The national 7-day daily test average is 3617 tests per day or 4.1 tests per 1,000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 16.8% and continues on an upward trend.

Vaccination Update

As of the 9^th July 349,396 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 65,618 have received their second doses. This means that 59.6% of the target population have received at least one dose and 11.2 % are now fully vaccinated nationwide.

Fijians can 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 627 cases per day or 708 cases per million population per day. With daily increases in cases we are also seeing increasing cases of severe COVID-19 and increasing deaths.

Advice to the public

With increasing daily cases, hospitalisations, and deaths, we are asking all Fijians to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Getting fully vaccinated, with 2 doses of the vaccine, will decrease your risk of getting infected with the virus. But most importantly, getting fully vaccinated will significantly reduce your risk of getting severe COVID-19, even if you do get infected. None of the people who have died from COVID-19 in Fiji have been fully vaccinated. And we know from data from the United Kingdom that the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalization from the Delta variant by 92%. Vaccination locations are published daily on the Ministry’s website, social media, and in the daily newspapers.

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Friday 9^th July 2021

Transmission Update

We have 860 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 COVID-19 deaths to report for the 24-hour period that ended at 8am today. A full breakdown of areas of interest will be published online tonight on the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard and on the Fijian Government Facebook page. You will also be able to view the approximate locations of the new cases on the dashboard tomorrow at the following link: http://bit.ly/3vE2ZBb

The first COVID-19 death is a 56-year-old man from Davuilevu. He was admitted to the CWM Hospital with COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever and generalized body pains) that he had for two weeks. His condition worsened in hospital and he died 3 days after admission. He was not vaccinated.

The second COVID-19 death is a 68-year-old man from Suva. He was referred to the CWM Hospital from the Samabula screening clinic. He was noted to be in severe respiratory distress. His condition worsened in the hospital and he died one day after admission. He was not vaccinated.

The third COVID-19 death is a 69-year-old woman from Nabua. She was referred to the CWM Hospital from the Samabula Health Center. She presented in severe respiratory distress. Her condition worsened in hospital and she died on the same day. She was not vaccinated.

One more death, a 15-year-old, is currently being investigated by the clinical team to determine the cause of death.

There have now been 51 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 49 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. As of the 9th July the 7-day average daily deaths in Fiji is 3 deaths per day. Out of the 49 COVID-19 deaths in this outbreak 41(84%) individuals were unvaccinated and 8 (16%) individuals received only one dose of the vaccine. None of the individuals that have died from COVID-19 in Fiji have been fully vaccinated. We also have recorded 19 COVID-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted COVID-19. None of these individuals, who died from non-COVID related medical conditions, were fully vaccinated.

There have been 62 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 7,932 active cases. There have been 9,451 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 9,521 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 1,518 recoveries.

Screening Update

A total of 7, 103 individuals were screened and 1,990 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 271,150 individuals screened and 40,717 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 3,292 individuals and swabbed 417 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 687,265 individuals screened and 57,305 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

188,148 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 231,009 tested since testing began in early 2020. 3373 tests have been reported for July 7th. Testing number data for all labs for July 7th are still being received and so the testing number is expected to increase once updated. The national 7-day daily test average is 3512 tests per day or 4 tests per 1,000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 15.5% and continues on an upward trend.

Vaccination Update

As of July 8th, 340,334 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 62,445 have received their second doses. This means that 58% of the target population have received at least one dose and 10.6% are now fully vaccinated nationwide.

The two drive-through vaccination centers within the Suva- Nausori Corridor (Albert Park and the Fiji National University- Nasinu Campus at Valelevu) will be open tomorrow (Saturday 10^th July 2021 from 9am- 2pm for vaccination).

Fijians can 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 610 cases per day or 689 cases per million population per day. Today was another daily record of cases, and with daily increases in cases we are also seeing increasing cases of severe COVID-19 and increasing deaths.

Advice to the public

With increasing daily cases, hospitalisations, and deaths, we are asking all Fijians to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Getting fully vaccinated, with 2 doses of the vaccine, will decrease your risk of getting infected with the virus. But most importantly, getting fully vaccinated will significantly reduce your risk of getting severe COVID-19, even if you do get infected. None of the people who have died from COVID-19 in Fiji have been fully vaccinated. And we know from data from the United Kingdom that the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalization from the Delta variant by 92%. Vaccination locations are published daily on the Ministry’s website, social media, and in the daily newspapers.

Press Release

Friday 9th July 2021

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Thursday, 8^th July 2021

Transmission Update

We have 721 new cases of COVID-19 and 6 COVID-19 deaths to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8am today, July 8th 2021. A full breakdown of areas of interest will be published online tomorrow morning on the Ministry’s COVID-19 dashboard and on the Fijian Government Facebook page. You will also be able to view the approximate locations of cases on the dashboard at the following link: http://bit.ly/3vE2ZBb.

The first COVID-19 death is an 80-year-old woman from Vatuwaqa. A Ministry response team attended to her at home and, assessing that she was severely ill, transferred her to the FEMAT field hospital. She reportedly had been having symptoms of COVID-19 at home for approximately three weeks. Her conditions worsened at the FEMAT field hospital and she died a few hours later. She was not vaccinated.

The second COVID-19 death is an 80-year-old woman from Mead Road. She was declared dead on arrival by the attending medical officer at the CWMH Hospital Emergency Department. This means that she died at home or on her way to the hospital. Her family reported that she had been unwell for at least three days at home. She was not vaccinated.

The third COVID-19 death is a 51-year-old woman from Gaji Road. She was admitted at the CWM Hospital with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough and generalized body pains). Her condition worsened in hospital and she died 11 days after admission. She was not vaccinated. 

The fourth COVID-19 death is a 44-year-old man from Laucala Beach Estate. He presented to the CWM Hospital emergency department in severe respiratory distress. His family reported that he had COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, weakness and headache) for one week. His condition worsened in hospital and he died 4 days after admission. He received his 1^st dose of the vaccine in mid-June. He had not received the second dose of the vaccine and was not fully vaccinated. 

The fifth COVID-19 death is a 68-year-old woman from Delainivesi, Lami. Her family brought her to the CWM Hospital Emergency Department after she was noted to be unresponsive. Her family reported that she had been feeling unwell at home two days before. She died on the same day. She was not vaccinated.

The sixth COVID-19 death is a 52-year-old woman from Raiwai. She was brought by her family to the CWM Hospital Emergency Department.  Her family reported that she had been unwell with cough, shortness of breath, generalized weakness and vomiting, for at least three days. Her condition worsened in hospital and she died 1 day later. She was not vaccinated.

There have now been 48 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 46 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 19 COVID-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted COVID-19.

There have been 101 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 7,138 active cases. There have been 8,591 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 8,661 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 1,456 recoveries.

Screening Update

A total of 6,187 individuals were screened and 1,488 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 264,047 individuals screened and 38,727 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 2,657 individuals and swabbed 326 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 683,973 individuals screened and 56,888 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

184,613 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 227,474 tested since testing began in early 2020. 3387 tests have been reported for July 6th. Testing number data for all labs for July 6th are still being received and so the testing number is expected to increase once updated. The national 7-day daily test average is 3502 tests per day or 4 tests per 1,000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 14.4% and continues on an upward trend.

Vaccination Update

As of July 7th, 335,305 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 59,574 have received their second doses. This means that 57% of the target population has received at least one dose and 10.2% are now fully vaccinated nationwide.

We now have two drive-through vaccination centers within the Suva- Nausori Corridor. One center is located at Albert Park in Suva and the second center is located at the Fiji National University (Nasinu Campus). These drive-through vaccination centers are open until 5.30pm. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is currently working on exploring possible venues across the country to establish more drive-through vaccination sites. 

Fijians can 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 545 cases per day or 615 cases per million population per day. Daily case numbers are expected to continue to increase, along with an increase in people with COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation, and sadly, more deaths. 

Advice to the public

As a result of increasing COVID-19 cases in the Suva-Nausori containment zone, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises that until further notice, home-based screening and swabbing services in Suva-Nausori will no longer be provided, except in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances include if an individual has a disability, or is otherwise physically unable to leave their home and attend a clinic, and these people should call 158. Our response teams in Suva-Nausori will now be redirected to the identification and close monitoring of people with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19.  

People in Suva-Nausori should visit their nearest screening clinic for testing if they:

–      Have COVID-19 symptoms (cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, fatigue, headache, aches and pains, sore throat, fever, diarrhoea, red eyes, loss of taste or smell); 

or

–      Have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 

Any disruptions to screening clinic services, for instance for decontamination, will be communicated to the public.

A person in Suva-Nausori with symptoms, or who has been in close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, should take the following steps:

1) Immediately isolate yourself from others, including other members of your household if possible. 

2) Where possible, visit the nearest screening clinic for a COVID-19 swab. Please wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose and keep a safe physical distance of 2 metres from others.

3) Please avoid using public transport to travel to the screening clinic. If you cannot avoid using public transport, please ensure to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose at all times and maintain physical distance from others.

In other parts of Fiji, persons with COVID-19 symptoms, or who are contacts of cases, should call 158 to be advised by the respective medical teams in those areas.

Our FEMAT field hospital has begun the transition into a COVID-19 dedicated hospital. And we have set up an emergency number 165 for people with severe COVID-19 symptoms to contact if they cannot get to a hospital themselves. 

Sadly, 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.

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. 

PUBLIC ADVISORY

Screening Clinic Services Suva-Nausori Containment Zone

 As a result of increasing COVID-19 cases in the Suva-Nausori containment zone, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises that until further notice, home-based screening and swabbing services in Suva-Nausori will no longer be provided, except in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances include if an individual has a disability or is otherwise physically unable to leave their home and attend a clinic, these people should call 158.

Health response teams in Suva – Nausori will now be redirected to the identification and close monitoring of people with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. In other parts of Fiji, persons with COVID-19 symptoms, or who are contacts of cases, should call 158 to be advised by the respective medical teams in those areas.

Residents experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

People in Suva-Nausori should visit their nearest screening clinic for testing if they:

• Have COVID-19 symptoms of cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, fatigue/extreme tiredness, headache, aches and pains, sore throat, fever, diarrhoea, red eyes, loss of taste or smell, a rash on the skin);

Or

• Have been in close contact (known as a primary contact) with someone who has COVID-19

Any resident in Suva – Nausori with symptoms, who has been in close contact with a known COVID-19 case, please take the following steps:

1) Immediately isolate yourself from others, including other members of your household if possible.

2) Where possible, visit the nearest screening clinic for a COVID-19 swab. Please wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose and keep a safe physical distance of 2 metres from others.

3) Please avoid using public transport to travel to the screening clinic. If you cannot avoid using public transport, please ensure to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose at all times and maintain physical distance from others.

Screening clinics will remain open for members of the public to access COVID-19 screening services. Getting tested will ensure that not only will you receive the proper treatment, but also help reduce the risk of the virus spreading to others.

Any disruptions to clinic services, for instance for decontamination, will be communicated to the public.

COVID-19 safety measures when visiting a screening clinic for testing

If you or someone you know has COVID-19 symptoms or has been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19 and needs to be screened, follow these simple measures to protect yourself and others:

• All individuals (sick individual, primary contact, or person/s helping transport the individual) must immediately wear masks correctly.
• Avoid buses or public transport. If in a private vehicle, all passengers and driver must wear masks and leave the windows down fully.
• If possible, keep at least 2 meters from the sick individual/primary contact.
• All individuals should clean their hands with hand sanitizer, especially if helping the sick person/primary contact.
• Have your careFIJI app turned on and Bluetooth enabled.
• When at the screening clinic, line up and do not crowd at the screening clinic.

**Definition of primary contact:
Individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are called primary contacts. Primary contact means:

• You were within 2 metres of someone who has COVID-19
• You were within a confined space for at least an hour with someone who has COVID-19
• You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them) who has COVID-19
• You shared eating or drinking utensils, grog or taki with someone who has COVID-19
• Someone with COVID-19 sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you