Press Release

Media Release

COVID-19 Update

Saturday May 22nd 2021

There are 8 new positive cases to report as of 6pm today. The first case is from Muanikoso in Nasinu and is a contact of the Vunimono/Nadali cluster.

The second case presented to Samabula Health Centre with COVID-19 symptoms. Six members of her household in Samabula have now also tested positive. At this early stage of investigations there has been no link established between these and other cases.

The public should expect extensive investigations and screening to be ongoing tonight related to these cases in Muanikoso and Samabula.

Three patients have recovered today, which means there are now 69 active cases. (please note that there was a miscount of 65 active cases reported in the afternoon update when it should have been 64 active cases).

Fiji has had 206 cases in total, with 133 recoveries and 4 deaths, since our first case was reported on March 19^th 2020.

A total of 86,742 COVID-19 laboratory tests have been conducted since we started testing in early 2020.

A total 2802 samples were tested yesterday. Please note that the daily test number  for the laboratory at Tamavua Twomey Hospital has not been received so the actual number of tests for yesterday is higher than currently reported. The daily average of testing over the last 7 days now at 2087 tests per day. The 7 day average daily test positivity is at 0.5%, with test positivity at 0.4% in the last day. An average of 2.4 tests per 1000 population were conducted daily over the last 7 days, with 3.2 tests per 1000 population in the last day.

-ENDS-

COVID-19 Update:

2PM, Saturday 22 May, 2021

Case and Transmission Update 

We have three new cases of COVID-19 to report as of 12pm today. These cases are all tied to the cluster in Muanikoso, Nasinu. One case is from the same household as the other cases previously announced in Muanikoso. The other two cases are neighbours from an adjoining home.

The close proximity of the two households strongly suggests there was contact at some point, this may have been before the members of the first household began their home quarantine on May 11th. Given that these two new cases in the second household were not under a home quarantine order, we have locked down the Muanikoso area until further investigations can inform our risk assessment for the community. No one residing in the area will be allowed to leave. Those outside of the area who reside in the community will be allowed to re-enter provided they acknowledge they will not be allowed to leave.

Early contact tracing investigations into the Muanikoso cluster indicate that case 191, an Extra Supermarket employee, is the most likely source point for transmission. She had careFIJI installed with bluetooth switched on, so our contact tracing teams have digitally-logged interactions to inform their investigations. This case again reinforces the importance for all Fijians to stay home at all times. If you do have an essential reason to leave, wear a mask, maintain two metres of physical distance from others, and install careFIJI and keep bluetooth turned on.

The contact tracing stemming from case 190 (the security company driver) has identified 29 contacts. None of these contacts have been confirmed as COVID-positive.

There are now 65 active cases in isolation. We have recorded 198 cases and four deaths in Fiji since recording our first case on March 19th 2020.

Screening and Testing Update 

The latest testing data will be reported once a day during the evening update.

As of this morning, 63.7% of the Fijian population have been screened for COVID-like symptoms as well as travel histories that may have exposed them to the virus. Screening will be conducted multiple times to effectively screen for COVID-like symptoms, and we ask that the public continue to cooperate with our screening teams and report to one of our 58 screening clinics across the country if they are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of smell, or body ache.

COVID-Safe Measures

Through our extensive programme of contact tracing and testing, the lockdown areas of  Makoi in Nasinu, Naira in Rakiraki, and Dokonavatu, Nanukloa and Naiserelagi in Savoi, Ra have each gone for more than 14 days (the incubation period for COVID-19) without new cases. As a result, the borders of these lockdown areas will be lifted at 4am on 23 May 2021.

7,000 backlogged swabs were flown out to Australia on Thursday for processing, with an additional 4,000 swabs sent today. We expect that the test results will arrive early next week. Once we have this data, we will consider relaxing the borders of containment areas where we have a high degree of confidence that community transmission has been eliminated.

Media Release

COVID-19 Update

Friday May 21st 2021

There are no new cases to report as of 6pm today.

We now have more information about the 5 cases from the same household in Muanikoso, Nasinu that were announced earlier today. As mentioned, 1 member of the household is an employee of Extra Supermarket and known primary contact of one of the cases from that cluster. She was identified as a contact on Tuesday 11^th May and has been in home quarantine ever since. It is believed that she contracted the virus from the case at her place of work and then it spread within her household. The investigation by the response team has highlighted that her entire household also placed themselves in home quarantine from 11^th May; they remained at home, and enlisted the support of their extended family to maintain their quarantine; dropping groceries at their gate during the quarantine period.

Based on the results of the investigations, and due to the diligence of this family in maintaining their home quarantine, we will not be locking down Muanikoso at this time. We must commend the family for their decision to adhere to the home quarantine directive issued by the Ministry. A decision that undoubtedly worked to break chains of transmission and limit further spread of COVID-19 in the community.

One COVID-19 patient has recovered today, which means there are now 61 active cases in isolation facilities. 2 are border quarantine cases, 49 were locally transmitted, and 10 are under investigation to determine the source of transmission. Cases under investigation are considered as community transmission until proven otherwise.

Fiji has had 195 cases in total, with 130 recoveries and 4 deaths, since our first case was reported on March 19^th 2020.

A total of 83,980 COVID-19 laboratory tests have been conducted since we started testing in early 2020.

Due to the recent temporary shutdown of Fiji CDC, testing numbers had dropped, however this has recovered to pre-shutdown levels with the daily average of testing over the last 7 days now at 1711 tests per day. A total of 3034 samples were tested yesterday, a new daily record that has surpassed our target of 3000 tests per day. The 7 day average daily test positivity is at 0.7%, with test positivity at 0.2% in the last day. An average of 1.9 tests per 1000 population were conducted daily over the last 7 days, with 3.4 tests per 1000 population in the last day.

-ENDS-

COVID-19 Update

Friday, May 21, 2021

Case and Transmission Update 

We have five new cases to report as of 12pm today. These cases are members of one household in Muanikoso, Nasinu. One of these cases is an employee of Extra Supermarket. So all five of these cases have been under home quarantine following the discovery of that cluster last week. Contact tracing investigations are ongoing.

Our contact tracing for Case 190 (who was announced yesterday) from the Vunimono/Nadali cluster has identified him as being a potential high risk case for transmission. He is a driver for a security company and was working up until Wednesday, May 19th. Therefore, the public should expect to see extensive contact tracing activities ongoing in the Suva-Nausori area.

There are now 62 active cases in isolation. We have recorded 195 cases and four deaths in Fiji since recording our first case on March 19th 2020.

Screening and Testing Update 

The latest testing data will be reported once a day during the evening update.

There are 2625 primary contacts of previous cases who were being monitored in Suva. Out of the 2625, 1619 have been cleared, with 1006 still being followed up.

Additional Updates

The Kamikamica Health Centre in Lautoka has been thoroughly decontaminated and will reopen tomorrow at 8.00am.

A working group has been convened over the weekend to discuss the requirements for businesses to gradually resume operations with COVID-safe business plans. The recent case detected in an individual working for a security company, which is an essential business, highlights the need for all businesses to have extremely well-enforced protocols that mitigate the risk of infection for employees and the community at-large.

COVID-Safe Measures

We appreciate the identified contacts of existing cases who have adhered to home quarantine instructions. Your cooperation has made our task of containing the virus more manageable. We continue to ask those that are not under home quarantine to please stay home unless absolutely necessary. If you have an essential reason to leave your home, please wear a mask, maintain a safe physical distance of at least 2 metres between yourself and others at all times, and make sure you have careFIJI installed with bluetooth kept on.

We are confident more cases are present in the community. Through widespread adherence to our existing COVID-safe health measures, we can break new chains of transmission even as new cases are detected and eventually allow for lessened restrictions on movement and greater economic activity.

Media Release

The second dose of vaccination begins

Thursday, 20th May 2021

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has started administering the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine this month. For the second dose of vaccination roll-out, the Ministry of Health is planning to set up teams for respective sites across the country. This will ensure that all Fijians will be able to access the vaccine without having to travel far or wait too long in queues. For the further convenience of the public, drive-through vaccination sites will be set up. The locations of the mobile vaccination teams will be announced early next week.

Those who are due to receive the second dose of vaccine can go to their nearest vaccination site to get the jab. It is NOT COMPULSORY that you receive the second dose from the same vaccination site where you received your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Simply go to your nearest vaccination site or contact 158.

A reminder for the date of the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be sent to those who have been vaccinated with the first dose and had registered on the digital system. Individuals can check their vaccine cards to confirm their date of the second dose of vaccination.

Further to this, 50,000 COVID-19 vaccines will arrive in the country later this week from Australia. Next week, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is expected to roll out the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination to the remaining front line workers and those who are constantly engaging with the public given the nature of their work such as public service vehicle drivers, supermarket staff, people residing in densely populated areas, individuals who are over 60 years of age, persons with disabilities and those who may have comorbidity issues such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, asthma, and other medical conditions.