Press Release

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Friday, 16^h July 2021

Transmission Update

We have 1,405 new cases of COVID-19 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.

We also have 6 new COVID-19 deaths to report for the period of 12th July to 15th July.

The first COVID-19 death to report is a 58 year old man from Tacirua. He presented to a medical facility with severe COVID-19 symptoms including shortness of breath. His condition worsened at the health facility and he died on the same day 14/7/2021. He was not vaccinated.

The second COVID-19 death to report is an 82 year old man from Waila. He presented to a health facility in severe respiratory distress. He was retrieved by a medical team to the CWM Hospital. His condition worsened in the hospital and he died two days after admission on 12/7/2021. His family reported that he had been unwell with symptoms that included fever, and cough. He was not vaccinated.

The third COVID-19 death to report is a 34 year old man from Koronivia. He presented to a health facility in severe respiratory distress. His condition worsened at the health facility and he died on the same day (12/7/2021). He was not vaccinated.

The fourth COVID-19 death to report is a 68 year old man from Valelevu. He presented to the CWM Hospital with COVID-19 symptoms. His condition worsened in the hospital and he died on the same day 14/7/2021. He was not vaccinated.

The fifth COVID-19 death to report is a 76 year old woman from Narere. She presented to a healthcare facility with severe COVID-19 symptoms including shortness of breath.  She was retrieved by a medical team to CWM hospital. Her condition worsened in the hospital and she died on the same day (12/7/2021). She was not vaccinated.

The sixth COVID-19 death to report is a 92 year old man from Ba. He was retrieved by a medical team from an isolation facility and transferred to Lautoka Hospital. His condition worsened in hospital and he died four days after admission (15/7/2021). He was not vaccinated.

There have been three more deaths of COVID-19 positive patients. However, their deaths have been classified as non-COVID deaths by their doctors. Doctors have determined that these deaths were caused by serious pre-existing medical conditions and not COVID-19.

There have now been 80 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 78 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 34 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.

There have been 470 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 11,959 active cases. There have been 15,221 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 15,291 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 3,218 recoveries.

There are six more deaths currently under investigation. These will be discussed once investigations (including test results) and classifications are complete.

Screening Update

A total of 10,356 individuals were screened and 1,893 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 312,572 individuals screened and 52,386 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 4,197 individuals and swabbed 435 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 712,328 individuals screened and 60,855 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

A total of 216,869 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 259,734 tested since testing began in March 2020. 3678 tests have been reported for July 14th. Testing number data for one lab is pending for July 13-14th. Based on available testing numbers, the national 7-day daily test average is 3943 tests per day or 4.5 tests per 1,000 population. These numbers are expected to increase once all lab testing number data is received. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 19.2%  and continues on an upward trend.

Vaccination Update

As of the 15th July 384,480 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 75,448 have received their second doses. This means that 66% of the target population have received at least one dose and 12.9 % 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 is 824 cases per day or 932 cases per million population per day.  Average daily case numbers are increasing, together with cases of severe disease and deaths.

Advice to the public

In the Suva-Nausori Containment Zone, people with severe COVID-19 are still dying at home, or they are coming to a medical facility in the late stages of severe illness. Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency, and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment reduces your chance of recovering from the disease.

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

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

In the Suva-Nausori Containment zone we have identified health facilities specifically designated to receive people with symptoms of severe COVID-19. If you or a loved one live in the Suva-Nausori Containment Zone and have any of these severe symptoms please go immediately to the designated health facilities listed below.

– Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH)

– FEMAT Hospital, Vodafone Arena

Individuals in Nausori with severe symptoms should go to:

– Nausori Health Centre

-Wainibokasi Hospital

Call 165 if you are unable to travel to a medical facility. 

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Thursday, 15^h July 2021

Transmission Update

We have 1,220 new cases of COVID-19 to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am 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.

We also have 5 new COVID-19 deaths to report for the period of 10th July to 13th July.

The first COVID-19 death to report is a 61-year-old woman from Kinoya who died at home on 10/7/2021. Her family reported that she was feeling unwell with generalized body pain, weakness, and a sore throat for 10 days. She was not vaccinated.

The second COVID-19 death to report is a 62-year-old man from Tacirua. He presented to the CWM Hospital emergency department in severe respiratory distress. He died in hospital on the same day (13/7/2021). His family reported that he was unwell with fever, cough, and generalized weakness for three days prior. He was not vaccinated.

The third COVID-19 death to report is a 66-year-old woman from Nabua who died at home on 13/7/2021. Her family reported that she was feeling unwell with a cough and shortness of breath for 3 days. She was not vaccinated.

The fourth COVID-19 death to report is a 60-year-old woman from Verata who died at home on 13/7/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The fifth COVID-19 death to report is a 78-year-old woman from Nauluvatu Village. She was retrieved from home by a medical team and transferred to a healthcare facility. She was noted to be in severe respiratory distress. She died in the healthcare facility on the same day (13/7/2021). 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 these deaths were caused by serious pre-existing medical conditions and not COVID-19.

There have now been 74 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 72 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 31 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.

There have been 213 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 11,033 active cases. There have been 13,816 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 13,886 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 2,748 recoveries.

There are eight other deaths currently under investigation. These will be discussed once investigations (including test results) and classifications are complete.

Screening Update

A total of 6,430 individuals were screened and 2,068 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 302,216 individuals screened and 50,493 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 3,803 individuals and swabbed 540 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 708,131 individuals screened and 60,420 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

A total of 211,823 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 254,684 tested since testing began in March 2020. 3480 tests have been reported for July 13th. Testing number data for all labs until July 13th has now been received, except for one lab which is yet to update data after the 9th of July. Based on available testing numbers, the national 7-day daily test average is 3772 tests per day or 4.3 tests per 1,000 population. These numbers are expected to increase once all lab testing number data is received. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 18% and continues on an upward trend.

Vaccination Update

As of the 14th of July, 377,090 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 73,127 have received their second doses. This means that 64% of the target population have received at least one dose and 12.5 % 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 is 746 cases per day or 844 cases per million population per day.  Average daily case numbers are increasing, together with cases of severe disease and deaths.

Advice to the public

Sadly, people with severe COVID-19 are still dying at home or they are coming to a medical facility in the late stages of severe illness. Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency, and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment reduces your chance of recovering from the disease.

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

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

If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms please go immediately to your nearest hospital or medical facility or call 165 if you are unable to travel to a medical facility. 

Media Release 

COVID-19 Daily Update

Wednesday 14th July 2021

Transmission Update

We have 634 new cases of COVID-19 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.

We also have 10 new COVID-19 deaths to report for the period of 9th July to 14th July.

The first COVID-19 death to report is a 65 year old woman from Naibitu Village who died at home on 9/7/2021. She received her 1st dose of the vaccine in mid-June. She had not received the second dose of the vaccine and was not fully vaccinated.

The second COVID-19 death to report is a 62 year old man from Cautata Village. He presented to a medical facility in severe respiratory distress. His condition worsened at the health facility and he died on the same day (10/7/2021). He was not vaccinated.

The third COVID-19 death to report is an 80 year old man from Suva who died at home on the 10/7/2021. His family reported that he was feeling unwell with shortness of breath. He was not vaccinated.

The fourth COVID-19 death to report is a 92 year old man from Kinoya who died at home on 11/7/2021. His family reported that he reported of generalized weakness and a reduced appetite 3 days prior. He was not vaccinated.

The fifth COVID-19 death to report is a 71 year old woman from Suva. She presented to a health centre with severe COVID-19 symptoms and was transferred to the CWM Hospital. Her condition worsened in the hospital and she died 2 days after her admission on 11/7/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The sixth COVID-19 death to report today is a 62 year old woman from Makoi who died at home on 11/07/2021. Her family reported that she had a cough, fever and shortness of breath for a few days. She was not vaccinated.

The seventh COVID-19 death to report is a 59 year old man from Nadera who died at home on 12/07/2021. His family reported that he had a cough, shortness of breath and a reduced appetite. He was not vaccinated.

The eighth COVID-19 death to report is a 63 year old woman from Nasinu. She presented to the CWM Hospital in severe respiratory distress and died one day after admission on 13/07/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The ninth COVID-19 death to report is a 58 year old woman from Nadera. She presented to the CWM Hospital in severe respiratory distress and died 10 days after admission on 13/07/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The tenth COVID-19 death to report is a 42 year old woman from Tacirua. A Medical Response team retrieved her from home and transferred her to a medical facility. She was noted to be in severe respiratory distress. She died in the medical facility on the same day (14/7/2021). She received her 1st stdose of the vaccine at the end of June. She had not received the second dose of the vaccine and was not fully 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 these deaths were caused by serious pre-existing medical conditions and not COVID-19.

There have now been 69 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 67 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 29 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.

There have been 314 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 10,033 active cases. There have been 12,596 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 12,666 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 2,535 recoveries.

Screening Update

A total of 5,083 individuals were screened and 1,866 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 295,786 individuals screened and 48,425 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 3,279 individuals and swabbed 377 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 704,328 individuals screened and 59,880 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

A total of 208,343 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 251,204 tested since testing began in early 2020. 3313 tests have been reported for July 12th. Testing number data for all labs until July 12th has now been received, except for one lab which is yet to update data from the 9th of July. Based on available testing numbers, the national 7-day daily test average is 3889 tests per day or 4.4 tests per 1,000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 18% and continues on an upward trend.

Vaccination Update

As of the 13th July 370,219 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 70,917 have received their second doses. This means that 63.1% of the target population have received at least one dose and 12.1 % 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 is 675 cases per day or 763 cases per million population per day.

Advice to the public

Sadly, people with severe COVID-19 are still dying at home or they are coming to a medical facility in the late stages of severe illness. Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency, and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment reduces your chance of recovering from the disease.

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.

Media Release

Vunimono High School hosts Fiji’s first drive-through swab service

The Sub Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) Rewa, Dr. Sravaniya Dasi announces Fiji’s first swab drive-through service at Vunimono High School, Nausori.  This service begins on Wednesday 14 July 2021 and will be available on weekdays (Monday – Friday) from 10 am to 2 pm.

SDMO Rewa, Dr. Dasi encourages residents in the Rewa Sub Division to use this drive-through swab service, it minimizes standing in long lines as residents are swabbed in the comfort of their vehicles by the medical team.

Persons with mild COVID-19 symptoms include cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, fatigue/extreme tiredness, headache, aches and pains, sore throat, fever, diarrhea, red eyes (conjunctivitis), loss of taste or smell, a rash on the skin are requested to visit this clinic, or other swab clinics closest to their homes if they experience these symptoms.

If you or someone you are caring for is experiencing any of these symptoms, you must immediately isolate yourself from others including other members of your household. Where possible, visit the nearest screening clinic for a COVID-19 swab.

Dr. Dasi reminds residents attending the drive-through swab service to continue to practice COVID-19 safety measures and wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose and cough or sneeze into their elbow.

Other locations for screening clinic services in the Rewa Medical Sub Division are at the Nausori Special School and Mokani Health Centre.

ENDS-

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Tuesday, 13^th July 2021

Transmission Update

We have 647 new cases of COVID-19 and 1 COVID-19 death to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am 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 reported today is a 58-year-old man from Delaivalelevu who died at home. His family reported that he had been feeling unwell for 1 week. 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.

There has been one more death of a COVID-19 positive patient. However, the death has been classified as a non-COVID death by doctors. Doctors have determined that this death was caused by a serious pre-existing medical condition and not COVID-19.

There have now been 59 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 57 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 27 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.

There have been 230 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 9,725 active cases. There have been 11,962 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 12,032 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 2,221 recoveries.

Screening Update

A total of 7,199 individuals were screened and 2,210 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 290,713 individuals screened and 46,559 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 4,418 individuals and swabbed 886 in the last 24 hours. This brings our cumulative total to 701,049 individuals screened and 59,503 swabbed by our mobile teams to date.

Testing update

Testing data will be updated in the next daily statement as testing number data from the laboratories is still being received.

Vaccination Update

As of the 12th July 362,969 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 68,819 have received their second doses. This means that 61.9 % of the target population have received at least one dose and 11.7 % 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 is 698 cases per day or 788 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

Sadly, people with severe COVID-19 are still dying at home or they are coming to a medical facility in the late stages of severe illness. Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency, and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment reduces your chance of recovering from the disease.

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

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

If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms please go immediately to your nearest medical facility or call 165 if unable to get to a medical facility.