Archives 2021

COVID-19 Situation Update

Wednesday, 08th December

Epidemic Outlook:

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

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

With international travel open, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region and the emergence of the new variant Omicron, our border health measures, and surveillance will need to be strengthened and maintained. We anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

We are aware of misinformation being peddled widely on social media. It needs to be reiterated that the evidence on Omicron variant’s impact on the transmissibility of the virus, severity of disease, and effect of prior immunity (from vaccination or infection) is still in the very early stages so conclusions cannot be made yet. However, preliminary evidence indicates that it does not make people sicker than the Delta and other strains. If anything, the direction is towards less severity.  We again emphasize that this data is very early and more will be known once more people, including the most vulnerable, get infected.

Furthermore, this variant may be more transmissible than the Delta variant; it may cause reinfection in people who have been previously infected with another variant; and it has been seen to infect people who are fully vaccinated – although, so far, the fully vaccinated cases have been generally mild or with no symptoms.

The Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services remains extremely concerned at the lack of adherence to COVID safe measures in gatherings throughout the country, especially the adherence to masking in indoor public spaces. After the Delta outbreak this year, it is understandable that many will feel the urge to relax and celebrate now that case numbers are low, especially during the festive season. And many of us have let our guards slip.  We are all human. But this must stop now if we hope to reduce the impact of the impending third wave of COVID-19 expected early in 2022.

I hope that we will all take this advice to heart and do what is right, but I have also requested all spotters from Health, Commerce, and Security Ministries to escalate the fining of individuals and corporate bodies where there is evidence of non-compliance with COVID safe measures. These spot fines must be seen as a means to promote COVID safe measures; as such, it is NOT the intention that every single transgression will be picked up and fined. All of us who live in Fiji need to understand that any large resurgence in cases is likely to undermine our social and economic recovery program, irrespective of whether it’s from the Delta variant or the entry of the Omicron variant. We now need to maintain our COVID guard and ensure we protect ourselves at all times.

Another reason for the need for community-wide COVID safe measures is that we need to create a safe environment for our children to return to school. The plan is to vaccinate as many as possible from 12 years onwards. Once school starts, we will continue our school vaccination program for all vaccine-preventable diseases. We hope to access pediatric doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the early part of the new year, however, improving vaccination in the older children and all adults in the school environment provides extra protection to children less than 12 years. Further protection is harnessed by facilitating COVID safe measures in the school and even more if there is better compliance to COVID safe measures in the community especially with regards to social gatherings.

Our mantra for “Onwards Fiji” (Toso Viti) is; protect yourself at all times to protect Fiji.

COVID-19 Situation Update

Monday 06th December

Epidemic Outlook:

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

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

With international travel open, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region and the emergence of the new variant Omicron, there is cause for concern. Our border health measures and surveillance will need to be strengthened and maintained. We anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services announced last week that travelers who had arrived from an African state and were undergoing quarantine in a border quarantine facility had tested positive for COVID-19. Their samples had been sent to the reference laboratory in Australia for urgent genomic sequencing. The results for the two travelers have been received and are confirmed positive for the Omicron variant.

The two travelers are Fijian citizens who had traveled back into Fiji from Nigeria, arriving on Fiji Airways flight FJ1392 from Hong Kong on November 25th – the day the discovery of the Omicron variant was announced internationally. Both travelers tested negative for COVID-19 before departure from Fiji and before they left Nigeria. They entered a government-designated border quarantine facility immediately upon arrival into Fiji, tested positive while in quarantine, currently have no symptoms, and were fully vaccinated. With the exception of four passengers, all those on the flight were from non-travel partner countries, and therefore entered a border quarantine facility upon arrival to undergo the full quarantine protocol of 10 days. That has since been extended to 14 days. The four passengers on the flight who were from a travel partner country have tested negative. The Fiji Airways crew and accompanying passengers from FJ 1392 have tested negative at least twice.

The indications are that we have averted community transmission at this time, and the measures we had put in place to prevent, or at least delay, community transmission through the importation of cases from red zone countries have worked well so far. Our red zone designated countries are countries that we consider at high risk of proliferating variants. These are countries with low vaccination rates, poor testing data, and an ongoing outbreak.  As we previously highlighted, the protocols in place for the red zone countries were to isolate for 5 days and test negative twice before we approve their re-entry. In Fiji, they undergo 14 days of strict quarantine and testing in a government-designated border quarantine facility.

The evidence on Omicron variant’s impact on the transmissibility of the virus, severity of disease, and effect of prior immunity (from vaccination or infection) is still in the very early stages so conclusions cannot be made yet. However, the preliminary evidence is that this variant may be more transmissible than the Delta variant; it may cause reinfection in people who have been previously infected with another variant; and it has been seen to infect people who are fully vaccinated – although, so far, the fully vaccinated cases have been generally mild or with no symptoms.

Therefore, it must be re-emphasized that, if a variant is transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID-19 virus, especially as the Omicron variant is also spreading into some of our travel partner countries. To protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our country, we must all get vaccinated when it is our turn. And even with our high vaccination levels, we must maintain COVID safe habits: mask wisely by carrying a well-fitted mask when you leave your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; 2-meter physical distancing and ensure you are wearing a mask if you cannot maintain distance; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Finding the Omicron variant in travelers in border quarantine is not unexpected, given how quickly it has spread worldwide, but it is a sharp reminder to ourselves that the key to avoiding future restrictions and lockdowns is for us all to remain cautious about how we engage in the greater freedom we will enjoy. Whilst the easing of restrictions is needed to facilitate livelihoods, we must ensure that together with vaccination, we continue to observe our COVID safe measures and avoid contained spaces and crowds.

The Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services is also extremely concerned at the lack of adherence to COVID safe measures in gatherings throughout the country, especially the adherence to masking in indoor public spaces. After the Delta outbreak this year it is understandable that many will feel the urge to relax and celebrate now that case numbers are low, especially during the festive season. And many of us have let our guards slip.  We are all human. But this must stop now if we hope to reduce the impact of the impending third wave of COVID-19 expected early in 2022.

I hope that we will all take this advice to heart and do what is right, but I have also requested all spotters from Health, Commerce, and Security Ministries to escalate the fining of individuals and corporate bodies where there is evidence of non-compliance with COVID safe measures. These spot fines must be seen as a means to promote COVID safe measures; as such, it is NOT the intention that every single transgression will be picked up and fined. All of us who live in Fiji need to understand that any large resurgence in cases is likely to undermine our social and economic recovery program, irrespective of whether it’s from the Delta variant or the entry of the Omicron variant. We now need to maintain our COVID guard and ensure we protect ourselves at all times. Our mantra for “Onwards Fiji” (Toso Viti) is to protect yourself to protect Fiji.

COVID-19 Situation Update

Friday 03rd December

Epidemic Outlook:

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

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

With international travel open, we anticipate our testing numbers to increase from international repatriates and travelers including Fijians visiting families and friends. With increasing COVID-19 cases in the European region and the emergence of the new variant Omicron, there is cause for concern. Our border health measures and surveillance will need to be strengthened and maintained. We anticipate continued surveillance and testing in our communities and maritime islands to monitor and detect cases for early intervention.

Public Advisory:

Opening Borders and Variants

Today Fiji opened our international air travel borders to fully vaccinated COVID-tested travelers.

The reports about the new variant continue with new evidence that OMICRON had already achieved global spread well before it was reported by South African scientists, establishing itself in some European countries. These are countries that have the ability to check for the variant while other countries do not have genetic sequencing and cannot confirm cases of the variant at this time.

In Fiji, we currently have COVID-positive travelers in quarantine who arrived in the country from African states before we knew about OMICRON. They have been quarantined in line with the stringent measures we apply to countries we consider a red zone for ongoing viral spread. Their specimens have been received by our partner laboratory in Australia and genetic sequencing is ongoing.

If transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID 19 Virus. Fiji citizens will only be safe if we remain COVID safe with 2-meter physical distancing; mask wisely by carrying a mask when you are out of your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated when it’s your turn. This message is more important than all the stringent public health community and border measures.

Community Engagement and Community Based Surveillance Training

The risk communications and community engagement team under the COVID-19 Incident Management Unit is currently rolling out community engagement training with community health workers, turaga-ni-koro, mata-ni-tikina, church leaders, school managers, headteachers, and principals in rural areas throughout Fiji. The outcome of this training is COVID-19 preparedness, equipping local communities with the knowledge to carry out community-based surveillance, care pathways for COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 safe measures as the country opens its international and national borders and families reunite for the festive season across the country. We are mindful of the rainy season and the threat of cyclones. Furthermore, we usually expect cases of Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dysentery, and Flu during this time.

A key message we want participants to promote is that family and community gatherings may result in a laxity of COVID-19 measures and that it is their duty as community leaders to ensure that all members of the community understand the reasons behind the COVID-19 safe measures and that each and every person plays their part in keeping their families and communities safe. It is important that COVID-19 preparedness is incorporated into the community action plans that address village development including disaster preparedness.  The community engagement is rolled out with support from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs for the participation of the Roko Tui, the Assistant Roko Tui’s and the Turaga ni Koro and the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development through the Commissioner’s Office for the participation of the District Officer and District Advisory Councilors.

Maritime Islands Travel

We are greatly encouraged that the pockets of red zone areas with less than 60% vaccination coverage in areas of Vanua Levu and the Maritime Zones have greatly reduced.

Acknowledging the efforts of medical teams in the north and the maritime divisions and the positive response from the public to come forward, a considerable number of individuals in low coverage areas have received their second dose. The decrease in the number of low coverage areas in the north and maritime islands means vaccination coverage rates in these areas have improved, contributing to increased protection of communities throughout the country.  Therefore, as of Saturday 04th December 2021, the capacity of vessels to Vanua Levu and the maritime islands will now be increased to 80%

Shipping companies are also reminded of their responsibility to maintain COVID-19 procedures, pre-boarding, during travel, and upon disembarkation at the destination. Our border health teams will continue to monitor the oversight provided by the shipping companies and ensure that COVID-19 safety measures are followed and travel guidelines are adhered to.

The public is also reminded to adhere strictly to COVID-19 safe measures of appropriate masking, especially in indoor public spaces, covering our coughs and sneezes, washing our hands regularly with soap and water, or using a hand sanitizer and maintaining a safe physical distancing of 2 meters to mitigate the risks of community transmission.

25 November 2021

Public Advisory

COVID-19 Vaccination Registration for Fijian Residents Vaccinated Abroad

Individuals who are Fijian Citizens or Fiji Permit Holders and have received their COVID-19 vaccination in another country apart from Fiji, can now register their vaccination details in the Fijian Government Digital Vaccination Registry System.

An individual can register at https://vra.digitalfiji.gov.fj// under the international vaccination registration category. To register, an individual must have:

• A valid vaccination reference number (if any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was received in Fiji)
• Birth Registration Number/Citizenship Number
• A valid photo identification – Joint FNPF/FRCA, driver’s license, passport, student ID, or FNPF card.
• A scanned copy of the valid vaccination card/certificate as proof of vaccination is the official document of the country where the individual was vaccinated.

For any queries, email: regvaxinternational@gmail.com

To learn more about registering into the International Vaccination Registry, go to:

The verification of the registration and an individual’s vaccination status will be completed within 3-5 days.

Registration Guideline

Epidemic Outlook:

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

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

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

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

Public Advisory:

Opening Borders and Variants

Today Fiji opened our international air travel borders to fully vaccinated COVID-tested travelers.

The reports about the new variant continue with new evidence that OMICRON had already achieved global spread well before it was reported by South African scientists, establishing itself in some European countries. These are countries that have the ability to check for the variant while other countries do not have genetic sequencing and cannot confirm cases of the variant at this time.

In Fiji, we currently have COVID-positive travelers in quarantine who arrived in the country from African states before we knew about OMICRON. They have been quarantined in line with the stringent measures we apply to countries we consider a red zone for ongoing viral spread. Their specimens will be forwarded this week overseas for genetic sequencing.

If transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID 19 Virus. Fiji citizens will only be safe if we remain COVID safe with 2-meter physical distancing; mask wisely by carrying a mask when you are out of your home and wear the mask properly in public indoor spaces, public service vehicles, and outdoor crowded spaces; open windows to improve ventilation; avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces; keep hands clean; cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue; and get vaccinated when it’s your turn. This message is more important than all the stringent public health community and border measures.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is continuing to improve public health and medical capacities to manage an increase in cases. As such the remodeling of the health service provision will continue its current focus on:

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

Supporting School Re-opening

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

Community Engagement and Community Based Surveillance Training

The risk communications and community engagement team under the COVID-19 Incident Management Unit is currently rolling out community engagement training with community health workers, turaga-ni-koro, mata-ni-tikina, church leaders, school managers, headteachers, and principals in rural areas throughout Fiji. The outcome of this training is COVID-19 preparedness, equipping local communities with the knowledge to carry out community-based surveillance, care pathways for COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 safe measures as the country opens its international and national borders and families reunite for the festive season across the country. We are mindful of the rainy season and the threat of cyclones. Furthermore, we usually expect cases of Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dysentery, and Flu during this time.

Using COVID-19 surveillance guidelines developed by the Fiji CDC, the community engagement roll-out provides guidance for local community leaders to recognize and identify COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, signs, and symptoms and ensure the health and medical authorities are informed in a timely manner and able to respond appropriately cases that may develop in the community.

A key message we want participants to promote is that family and community gatherings may result in a laxity of COVID-19 measures and that it is their duty as community leaders to ensure that all members of the community understand the reasons behind the COVID-19 safe measures and that each and every person plays their part in keeping their families and communities safe. It is important that COVID-19 preparedness is incorporated into the community action plans that address village development including disaster preparedness.  The community engagement is rolled out with support from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs for the participation of the Roko Tui, the Assistant Roko Tui’s and the Turaga ni Koro and the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development through the Commissioner’s Office for the participation of the District Officer and District Advisory Councilors.