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Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Wednesday, 15 September 2021 

Transmission Update

We have 146 new cases of COVID-19 to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. 69 cases are from the Western Division, 68 cases are from the Central Division and 9 cases are from the Eastern Division.

There have been 217 new recoveries to report since the last update, which means that there are now 12,870 active cases. 1,328 active cases are in the Central Division, 11,226 active cases in the Western Division, 2 active cases in the Northern Division (Macuata), and 314 active cases in the Eastern Division (all in Kadavu). We are currently reviewing and reconciling our active case database with recoveries and as a result, we expect the recovery numbers to intermittently change markedly as verifications are made.

There have been 49,320 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 49,390 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 35,605 recoveries.

Deaths

There is one COVID-19 death to report today. This death has been reported from the Central Division.

The first COVID-19 death to report today is a 93-year-old man from Suva who died at home on 16/07/2021. He was not vaccinated. Kindly note this death is being reported today due to the delay in the issuance of the death certificate.

There have been 8 more deaths of COVID-19 positive patients. However, these deaths have been classified as non-COVID deaths by their doctors. The doctors have determined that these deaths were caused by serious pre-existing medical conditions and not COVID-19.

There have now been 540 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 538 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 day rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of September 10th, the national 7 day rolling average of COVID-19 deaths per day is 2. The 7 day rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day in the Central Division is 1 and in the Western Division is 1.

We also have recorded 374 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.

Hospitalisations

There are currently 119 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital. 33 patients are admitted at the Lautoka Hospital, 6 patients are admitted at the FEMAT field hospital, and 80 admitted at CWM hospital, St Giles, and Makoi. 5 patients are considered to be in severe condition, and 4 are in critical condition.

Screening Update

A total of 9,403 individuals were screened and 569 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 595,768 individuals screened and 95,559 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 1,489 individuals and swabbed 88. This brings our cumulative total to 832,588 individuals screened and 74,352 swabbed by our mobile teams.

Testing Update

A total of 351,192 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 394,053 tested since testing began in March 2020. 1461 tests have been reported for September 14th. The 7-day daily test average is 1,203 tests per day or 1.4 tests per 1,000 population. Weekly testing is at 10.3 tests per 1000 population, which remains above the WHO recommended level of 4 per 1000 population per week. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 12.6%, which is on a downward trend but still indicating a high level of community transmission.

Vaccination Update 

As of the 14th of September 577,005 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 363,420 have received their second doses. This means that 97.5% of the target population have received at least one dose and 61.9% are now fully vaccinated nationwide. Over the last two weeks, the team has been validating its data to ensure that the level of protection across Viti Levu is equitably distributed.  We are currently validating areas of concern and we will be outlining further measures to reduce the risk that travelers will place on these areas of concern. We will also be reviewing other restrictions currently in place and a  formal announcement will be made tomorrow on the lifting of borders and other measures. Until this announcement is made all current measures remain in force.

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 142 cases per day or 161 cases per million population per day. As previously announced by the Permanent Secretary, daily case numbers in Suva-Nausori are currently not being used as the sole indicator to monitor the progress of the outbreak. The Ministry is closely monitoring other indicators such as test positivity, hospitalisations, and deaths to track the progress of the outbreak.

With the decrease in testing numbers, testing remains above the WHO recommended rate of 4 per 1000 population per week (or approx. 3500 tests per week). We will be transitioning to community surveillance testing as severe disease numbers and positivity rates approach the containment phase levels.

Kadavu now has a total of 483 cases after 9 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours. Nine patients are currently admitted at Vunisea hospital, of which 4 are COVID positive and currently in stable condition, and 5 are negative for COVID-19. Mobile outreach teams continue with their visits to villages and settlements carrying out the follow-up of primary contacts, monitoring of positive patients and clearance, roll out of COVID-19 vaccination, MCH clinic, and immunization of babies, GOPD consultation, and SOPD clinic with medicine replenishment. Kavala health team is continuing with 2nd dose vaccinations as well as 1st dose jabs as part of the mop-up campaign. A clinical outreach team from Vunisea conducted specialist obstetrics, paediatric, internal medicine, and ultrasound scan clinics at Kavala health center today. Movement restrictions and targeted village lockdowns for Tawava village and the villages in Yawe tikina remain in force.

Five new cases have been reported for Malolo Island in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 61. Of these, 33 individuals have recovered and 28 remain active cases. Daily assessment continues for the active cases and their contacts, with 569 villagers screened in the last 24 hours. The health team also visited Yanuya Island and conducted screening for the villagers. Movement restrictions remain in force for all villages on the island.

Five new cases have been reported on Naviti Island in the last 24 hours. 75 individuals have recovered in the last 24 hours and 60 cases remain active and under surveillance by the health team. Movement restrictions are in place for all villages.

No new cases were recorded on Waya Island in the last 24 hours. 25 cases remain active and under home isolation in their villages with a daily assessment conducted by the Yalobi nursing station health team. The island remains under strict movement restrictions.

Two new cases were diagnosed on Nacula Island in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases on the island to 25; 21 cases in Nacula village and 4 cases in Naisisili village. The positive cases are under isolation in their respective villages and monitored daily by the health team from Nacula health center. The other 4 villages and 2 settlements on the Island have recorded no positive cases to date. Strict movement restriction remains in place for the whole island.

Beqa Island has recorded a total of 62 cases with 61 cases remaining active. Eleven cases have been identified in the village of Lalati, and all active cases are followed up daily through visitation and phone calls by the health team. Education and awareness on COVID safe measures and vaccination, and revisiting new positive cases have been done for the villages of Dakuni, Dakuibeqa, Rukua, and Raviravi. The island remains on movement restriction.

Public Updates and Advice:

The Ministry of  Health and Medical Services is now ready to begin the vaccination of children under 18 years. Working with the Ministry of Education, Heritage, and Arts, we will begin with children in the age group of 15 to 17 years. A stringent process is in place to ensure that parental or guardian consent is secured and online registration is encouraged before vaccination. No vaccine will be given without the consent of parents or guardians. The Ministry has set aside the required number of vials Moderna vaccine to ensure that the target population between 15 to 17-year-olds can receive both doses of the vaccine. The eligible children’s 1st dose vaccination is planned for rollout from Monday 20th September 2021 and the 2nd dose from Monday 18th October 2021.

Vaccination for children aged 12 to 17 years is safe. Similar to adults, children can also experience the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination such as pain at the jab site, swelling, fever, and body aches. These symptoms should subside over a few days. Severe side effects are rare and the risk of getting a severe infection and succumbing to COVID-19 is still higher than the risk of adverse events from vaccination. Therefore, parents and guardians are encouraged to agree for their children to be vaccinated to protect them from COVID-19.

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Tuesday, 14^th September 2021 

Transmission Update

We have 131 new cases of COVID-19 to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. 63 cases are from the Western Division, 66 cases are from the Central Division and 2 cases are from the Eastern Division.

There have been 104 new recoveries to report since the last update, which means that there are now 12,951 active cases. 1,480 active cases are in the Central Division, 11,164 active cases in the Western Division, 2 active cases in the Northern Division (Macuata), and 305 active cases in the Eastern Division (all in Kadavu). We are currently reviewing and reconciling our active case database with recoveries and as a result, we expect the recovery numbers to intermittently change markedly as verifications are made.

There have been 49,174 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 49,244 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 35,388 recoveries.

Deaths

There is one new COVID-19 death to report today. The one death reported was for the Central Division.

The first COVID-19 death to report is a 63-year-old man from Navua. He presented to the Navua Hospital in severe respiratory distress. Sadly, he died on the same day (12/09/2021). He received the 1st dose of the vaccine in mid-August. He did not receive the second dose of the vaccine. This means that he was not fully vaccinated.

There have now been 539 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 537 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 day rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of September 9th, the national 7 day rolling average of COVID-19 deaths per day is 2. The 7 day rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day in the Central Division is 1 and in the Western Division is 1.

We also have recorded 366 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.

Hospitalisations

There are currently 110 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital. 35 patients are admitted at the Lautoka Hospital, 5 patients are admitted at the FEMAT field hospital, and 70 admitted at CWM hospital, St Giles, and Makoi. 8 patients are considered to be in severe condition, and 3 are in critical condition.

Screening Update

A total of 9,503 individuals were screened and 609 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 586,365 individuals screened and 94,990 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 1,491 individuals and swabbed 344. This brings our cumulative total to 831,099 individuals screened and 74,264 swabbed by our mobile teams.

Testing Update

A total of 349,731 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 392,592 tested since testing began in March 2020. 1494 tests have been reported for September 13th. The 7-day daily test average is 1,096 tests per day or 1.2 tests per 1,000 population. Weekly testing is at 10.3 tests per 1000 population, which remains above the WHO recommended level of 4 per 1000 population per week. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 16%, which is on a downward trend but still indicating a high level of community transmission.

Vaccination Update 

As of the 13th of September 573,247 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 350,007 have received their second doses. This means that 97.3% of the target population have received at least one dose and 59.6% 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 156 cases per day or 176 cases per million population per day. As previously announced by the Permanent Secretary, daily case numbers in Suva-Nausori are currently not being used as the sole indicator to monitor the progress of the outbreak. The Ministry is closely monitoring other indicators such as test positivity, hospitalisations, and deaths to track the progress of the outbreak.

With the decrease in testing numbers, testing remains above the WHO recommended rate of 4 per 1000 population per week (or approx. 3500 tests per week). We will be transitioning to community surveillance testing as severe disease numbers and positivity rates approach the containment phase levels.

One new case was recorded in Kadavu in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases on the island to 474. Twelve patients are currently admitted at Vunisea hospital; 5 are COVID positive and currently in stable condition, and 7 are negative for COVID-19. Mobile outreach teams continue with their visits to villages and settlements carrying out the follow-up of primary contacts, monitoring of positive patients and clearance, roll out of COVID-19 vaccination, MCH clinic, and immunization of babies, GOPD consultation, and SOPD clinic with medicine replenishment. Kavala health team is continuing with 2^nd dose vaccinations as well as 1^st dose jabs as part of the mop-up campaign. Movement restrictions and targeted village lockdowns for Tawava village and the villages in Yawe tikina remain in force.

No new cases have been reported for Malolo Island in the last 24 hours. Of the total 56 cases diagnosed to date, 30 individuals have recovered and 26 remain active cases. Daily assessment continues for the active cases and their contacts, and surveillance of the villages. Movement restrictions remain in force for all villages on the island.

No new cases have been reported on Naviti Island in the last 24 hours. Of the total 146 cases so far, 142 remain active cases and are under surveillance by the health team. Movement restrictions are in place for all villages.

A total of 26 cases have now been confirmed on Waya Island with positive cases spread over the 6 villages on the island. 25 cases remain active and under home isolation in their villages with a daily assessment conducted by the Yalobi nursing station health team. The island remains under strict movement restrictions.

Nacula Island has a total of 23 confirmed cases, shared between the two villages of Nacula and Naisisili. The positive cases are under isolation in their respective villages and monitored daily by the health team from Nacula health center. The other 4 villages and 2 settlements on the Island have recorded no positive cases to date. Strict movement restriction remains in place for the whole island.

Beqa island recorded 10 new cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases on the island to 58. Fifty-seven cases are active and followed up daily through visitation and phone calls by the health team. The health response team is split into 2 teams to undertake screening of the population, monitoring of cases, education and awareness on COVID safe measures and vaccination, and revisiting new positive cases. The island remains on movement restriction.

Public Updates and Advice:

As the second dose coverage increases, it is expected that internal borders within Viti Levu will be lifted soon. Unfortunately, villages and settlements in our rural areas continue to record low vaccination coverage. As such the public needs to remain cautious about how they engage in the greater freedom of movement that they will be enjoying. Whilst we understand that increased public movement is needed to facilitate livelihood and to get more families together we will be outlining further measures to reduce the risk that travelers will place on these villages and communities. Please vaccinate, adhere to COVID safe measures and avoid contained spaces and crowds.

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Monday, 13^th September 2021 

Transmission Update

We have 127 new cases of COVID-19 to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. 83 cases are from the Western Division, 36 cases are from the Central Division and 8 cases are from the Eastern Division.

There have been 12 new recoveries to report since the last update, which means that there are now 12,925 active cases. 1,503 active cases are in the Central Division, 11,117 active cases in the Western Division, 2 active cases in the Northern Division (Macuata), and 303 active cases in the Eastern Division (all in Kadavu). We are currently reviewing and reconciling our active case database with recoveries and as a result, we expect the recovery numbers to intermittently change markedly as verifications are made.

There have been 49,043 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 49,113 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 35,284 recoveries.

Deaths

There are 3 new COVID-19 deaths to report for the period of 10^th – 12^th September 2021. Two deaths were reported for the Central Division and one death was reported from the Western Division.

The first COVID-19 death to report is a 60-year-old woman from Waya Island. She presented to the Yalobi Nursing Station in severe respiratory distress. Her family reported that she had a fever, sore throat, and a cough one week prior to her presentation. She was retrieved by a medical team and transferred to the Lautoka Hospital. Sadly, she died 5 days after admission on 12/09/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The second COVID-19 death to report is an 81-year-old woman from Tailevu who died at home on 10/09/2021. She was not vaccinated.

The third COVID-19 death to report is an 80-year-old man from Navua who died at home on 12/09/2021. He was not vaccinated.

There has been 1 more death of a COVID-19 positive patient. However, this death has been classified as a non-COVID death by their doctors. The doctors have determined that this death was caused by a serious pre-existing medical condition and not COVID-19.

There have now been 538 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 536 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 day rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, in order to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of September 8th, the national 7 days rolling average of COVID-19 deaths per day is 2. The 7 day rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day in the Central Division is 1 and in the Western Division is 1.

We also have recorded 366 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.

Hospitalisations

There are currently 117 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital. 44 patients are admitted at the Lautoka Hospital, 8 patients are admitted at the FEMAT field hospital, and 65 admitted at CWM hospital, St Giles, and Makoi. 12 patients are considered to be in severe condition, and 3 are in critical condition.

Screening Update

A total of 748 individuals were screened and 77 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 568,107 individuals screened and 93,849 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 581 individuals and swabbed 130. This brings our cumulative total to 829,608 individuals screened and 73,920 swabbed by our mobile teams.

Testing Update

A total of 348,237 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 391,098 tested since testing began in March 2020. 712 tests have been reported for September 12th. Lab testing data is pending from one lab. Therefore, lab testing data is expected to increase. The 7-day daily test average is 1,069 tests per day or 1.2 tests per 1,000 population. Weekly testing is at 10.3 tests per 1000 population, which remains above the WHO recommended level of 4 per 1000 population per week. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 16.5%, which is on a downward trend but still indicating a high level of community transmission.

Vaccination Update 

As of the 12th of September, 569,958 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 342,191 have received their second doses. This means that 97.2% of the target population have received at least one dose and 58.3% 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 160 cases per day or 181 cases per million population per day. As previously announced by the Permanent Secretary, daily case numbers in Suva-Nausori are currently not being used as the sole indicator to monitor the progress of the outbreak. The Ministry is closely monitoring other indicators such as test positivity, hospitalisations, and deaths to track the progress of the outbreak.

With the decrease in testing numbers, testing remains above the WHO recommended rate of 4 per 1000 population per week (or approx. 3500 tests per week). We will be transitioning to community surveillance testing as severe disease numbers and positivity rates approach the containment phase levels.

Kadavu recorded 8 new cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases on the island to 473. Nine cases are admitted at Vunisea hospital; 4 are COVID positive and currently in stable condition, and 5 are negative for COVID-19. Mobile outreach teams continue their visits to villages and settlements carrying out follow-up of primary Contacts, Monitoring of Positive patients and clearance, Roll out of COVID-19 Vaccination, MCH clinic and immunization of babies, GOPD consultation, SOPD clinic, and drug replenishment. Movement restrictions and targeted village lockdowns for Tawava village and the villages in Yawe tikina remain in force.

No new cases have been reported for Malolo island in the last 24 hours. Daily assessment continues for the active cases and their contacts, and surveillance of the villages. Movement restrictions remain in force for all villages on the island.

The villages of Gunu and Nasoqo on Naviti island have recorded 39 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 146. Three positive cases have recovered leaving a total of 142 active cases under surveillance by the health team.

Testing on Waya island revealed 22 new cases in the last 24 hours, and these patients are now under home isolation in their villages. The island is also under strict movement restrictions.

Nacula village and Naisisili village on Nacula island have recorded 21 cases in the last 24 hours. The positive cases are now under isolation in their respective villages and monitored daily by the health team from Nacula health centre. Strict movement restriction is now in place for the whole island.

Public Updates and Advice:

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS) is sending a team of 20 healthcare and allied healthcare workers to Yanuca and Beqa Island tomorrow morning (14/09/2021)  for 3 days. The team is planned to conduct mass swabbing of the 10 villages, conduct assessments of individuals considered high risk and/or vulnerable, and conduct awareness of COVID-19 in these communities.

We are truly thankful to the village elders and leaders who have helped in our quest to contain and/or mitigate the outbreak in the affected maritime islands. However, we repeat our call to the maritime islanders; please do not engage in unauthorized travel to and from Viti Levu. All our current protocols to regulate domestic movements have been working in removing the risk of viral leakage into your communities. As such we appeal for adherence to the protocols we have in place.

For those islands yet to be affected, we repeat our call to all village leaders and elders to support our current efforts to protect our maritime islands by immediately reporting any suspicious movements into your community and having in place quarantine/isolation measures to deal with all travelers into their respective community. We also appeal for community support for Vaccination; escalating vaccination efforts before the virus gets to your islands protects you better than having to escalate vaccination in the middle of an epidemic. Vaccination is a prevention measure.

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Sunday, 12^th September 2021 

Transmission Update

We have 128 new cases of COVID-19 to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. 90 cases are from the Western Division and 38 cases are from the Central Division.

There have been 173 new recoveries to report since the last update, which means that there are now 12,814 active cases. 1,474 active cases are in the Central Division, 11,043 active cases in the Western Division, 2 active cases in the Northern Division (Macuata), and 295 active cases in the Eastern Division (all in Kadavu). We are currently reviewing and reconciling our active case database with recoveries and as a result, we expect the recovery numbers to intermittently change markedly as verifications are made.

There have been 48,916 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 48,986 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 35,272 recoveries.

Deaths

There is no new COVID-19 death to report today.

There have been 2 deaths of COVID-19 positive patients. However, these deaths have been classified as non-COVID deaths by their doctors. The doctors have determined that these deaths were caused by a serious pre-existing medical condition and not COVID-19.

There have now been 535 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 533 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 day rolling average of deaths, based on the date of death, to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of September 7th, the national 7 day rolling average of COVID-19 deaths per day is 2. The 7 day rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day in the Central Division is 1 and in the Western Division is 1.

We also have recorded 365 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.

Hospitalizations

There are currently 127 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital. 50 patients are admitted at the Lautoka Hospital, 8 patients are admitted at the FEMAT field hospital, and 69 admitted at CWM hospital, St Giles, and Makoi. 17 patients are considered to be in severe condition, and 4 are in critical condition.

Screening Update

A total of 1,256 individuals were screened and 333 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 567,359 individuals screened and 93,772 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 1,481 individuals and swabbed 10. This brings our cumulative total to 829,027 individuals screened and 73,790 swabbed by our mobile teams.

Testing Update

A total of 347,525 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 390,386 tested since testing began in March 2020. 813 tests have been reported for September 11th. Lab testing data is pending from one lab. Therefore, lab testing data is expected to increase. The 7-day daily test average is 1,078 tests per day or 1.2 tests per 1,000 population. Weekly testing is at 10.3 tests per 1000 population, which remains above the WHO recommended level of 4 per 1000 population per week. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 16.3%, which is on a downward trend but still indicating a high level of community transmission.

Vaccination Update 

As of the 11th of September 569,931 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 341,679 have received their second doses. This means that 97.1% of the target population have received at least one dose and 58.2% 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 is 160 cases per day or 181 cases per million population per day. As previously announced by the Permanent Secretary, daily case numbers in Suva-Nausori are currently not being used as the sole indicator to monitor the progress of the outbreak. The Ministry is closely monitoring other indicators such as test positivity, hospitalizations, and deaths to track the progress of the outbreak.

With the decrease in testing numbers, testing remains above the WHO recommended rate of 4 per 1000 population per week (or approx. 3500 tests per week). We will be transitioning to community surveillance testing as severe disease numbers and positivity rates approach the containment phase levels.

No new cases were recorded in Kadavu in the last 24 hours. Eleven cases are admitted at Vunisea hospital; 5 are COVID positive and currently in stable condition, and 6 are negative for COVID-19. Movement restrictions and targeted village lockdowns for Tawava village and the villages in Yawe tikina remain in force.

Malolo island did not record any new cases in the last 24 hours and daily assessment continues for the active cases and their contacts. Movement restrictions remain in force for all villages on the island.

Surveillance and testing conducted in Gunu village and Nasoqo village on Naviti island revealed 9 new cases who are now under isolation in their villages. Surveillance continues for the two villages on the island and movement restriction remains in force for the whole island.

A total of 37 positive cases have now been identified in Dakuni village on Beqa island, while 11 more cases have been diagnosed in Dakuibeqa village in the last 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases on the island to 48. Three positive cases have been transferred to CWM Hospital including a 70 years old patient with severe COVID-19 disease. Health teams continue to provide education and awareness to the villagers to assist in their acceptance of the much-needed testing and intervention on the island. Meanwhile, movement restrictions remain in force for the whole island.

Public Updates and Advice:

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has noted the downturn in case numbers and positivity rate although we are limiting our testing to high-risk groups and places of concern. This coupled with our decreasing numbers of admissions, severe disease, and deaths are all consistently indicating that we are on the tail end of the epidemic. Our hospital COVID bed occupancy is getting less with increased critical care bed reserves which are now increasingly deployed for non-COVID clinical care and our oxygen therapy intervention reserves are at 80%. These gains will support our national endeavor to get people back to their homes and facilitate our return to greater social and economic stability. Despite these gains, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services remains guarded in its outlook on the future. We are concerned that there remain too many pockets of unvaccinated communities with high numbers of vulnerable persons living among them. The Ministry has put in place processes to identify these groups and to improve vaccination among them; meanwhile, we will maintain virtual and direct (medical and community-based) oversight to ensure early diagnosis and early access to clinical care especially for the vulnerable within the unvaccinated groups.

Media Release

COVID-19 Daily Update

Saturday, 11^th September 2021 

Transmission Update

We have 143 new cases of COVID-19 to report for the 24 hour period that ended at 8 am today. 86 cases are from the Western Division, 55 cases are from the Central Division, and 2 cases are from the Eastern Division.

There have been 688 new recoveries to report since the last update, which means that there are now 12,861 active cases. 1,605 active cases are in the Central Division, 10,956 active cases in the Western Division, 5 active cases in the Northern Division (Macuata), and 295 active cases in the Eastern Division (all in Kadavu). We are currently reviewing and reconciling our active case database with recoveries and as a result, we expect the recovery numbers to intermittently change markedly as verifications are made.

There have been 48,788 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 48,858 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 35,099 recoveries.

Deaths

There is one new COVID-19 death to report today. The one death reported today is from the Western Division.

The new COVID-19 death to report today is a 34-year-old woman from Nadi. She presented to the Lautoka Hospital in severe respiratory distress. Sadly, she died 14 days after admission on  10/09/2021. Her family reported that she had a fever, cough, and shortness of breath six days prior to her presentation. She received the 1^st dose of the vaccine in early June. She did not receive the second dose of the vaccine. This means that she was not fully vaccinated.

There have now been 535 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 533 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. Please note that due to the time required by clinical teams to investigate, classify and report deaths, a 4-day interval is given to calculate the 7 day rolling average of deaths, based on date of death, in order to help ensure the data collected is complete before the average is reported. Therefore, as of September 6th, the national 7 days rolling average of COVID-19 deaths per day is 2. The 7 day rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day in the Central Division is 1 and in the Western Division is 1.

We also have recorded 363 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.

Hospitalisations

There are currently 130 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital. 47 patients are admitted at the Lautoka Hospital, 7 patients are admitted at the FEMAT field hospital, and 76 are admitted at CWM hospital, St Giles, and Makoi. 18 patients are considered to be in severe condition, and 5 are in critical condition.  

Screening Update

A total of 4,050 individuals were screened and 333 swabbed at our stationary screening clinics in the last 24 hours, bringing our cumulative total to 566,103 individuals screened and 93,439 swabbed to date. Our mobile screening teams screened a total of 1,043 individuals and swabbed 386. This brings our cumulative total to 827,546 individuals screened and 73,780 swabbed by our mobile teams.

Testing Update

A total of 346,523 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 389,384 tested since testing began in March 2020. 1130 tests have been reported for September 10th. Lab testing data is pending from one lab. Therefore, lab testing data is expected to increase. The 7-day daily test average is 1,134 tests per day or 1.3 tests per 1,000 population. Weekly testing is at 10.3 tests per 1000 population, which remains above the WHO recommended level of 4 per 1000 population per week. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 15.9%, which is on a downward trend but still indicating a high level of community transmission.

We have seen an upsurge in the importation of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits, some of which are not yet approved for any use by reliable medical authorities. The importation of any medical testing device must have prior authorization from the Fiji Medicinal Products Board (FMPB) in order to be imported and sold in Fiji. From tomorrow (12/09/2021), the Ministry of Health and Medical Services will only consider FMPB-approved COVID-19 Rapid Diagnostic Tests kits (RDT’s). Therefore importers are advised to apply for the appropriate import license from FMPB prior to the arrival of RDT kits into Fiji.

Vaccination Update 

As of the 10th of September, 568,998 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 338,251 have received their second doses. This means that 97% of the target population have received at least one dose and 57.7% 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 164 cases per day or 186 cases per million population per day. As previously announced by the Permanent Secretary, daily case numbers in Suva-Nausori are currently not being used as the sole indicator to monitor the progress of the outbreak. The Ministry is closely monitoring other indicators such as test positivity, hospitalisations, and deaths to track the progress of the outbreak.

With the decrease in testing numbers, testing remains above the WHO recommended rate of 4 per 1000 population per week (or approx. 3500 tests per week). We will be transitioning to community surveillance testing as severe disease numbers and positivity rates approach the containment phase levels.

Kadavu recorded 2 new cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of cases on the island to 465. Eight cases are admitted at Vunisea hospital; 5 are COVID positive and currently in stable condition, and 3 are negative for COVID-19. Movement restrictions and targeted village lockdowns for Tawava village and the villages in Yawe tikina remain in force. A contingent of 15 police officers has arrived on the island to assist in the enforcement of the COVID restriction measures in place.

Malolo island recorded 6 new cases in the village of Solevu bringing the total number of cases to 87. Six positive cases have also recovered and have been discharged from follow-up, with 26 cases remaining active and under daily surveillance from the health team. Movement restrictions remain in force for all villages on the island.

One new case was identified on Naviti island in the last 24 hours bringing the total cases to 111, and the total active cases to 110. Contact tracing and daily assessment continue in the villages while travel restriction remains for the whole island. The community engagement team comprising personnel from various government agencies based in the western division have arrived on Naviti island onboard MV Cagivou and will undertake awareness, community assessment, and disease surveillance activities in the communities under the Kese Medical Area over the next two weeks.

Beqa Island is the new area of interest after a 70 years old bedridden male who passed away in his home in Dakuni village on 08 September 2021 was diagnosed with COVID-19. A health team comprising health personnel from the Serua/Namosi medical subdivision and CWM Hospital was dispatched to the island on Friday 10 September 2021 to undertake awareness, contact tracing, outbreak assessment, testing, risk assessment for positive cases, vaccination, and delivery of clinical care. 2 new cases have since been identified at Dakuibeqa village bringing the total number of cases to 3. Vaccination coverage for the island is currently at 75% for the first dose and 23% for the second dose. Rations have been provided to affected families in Dakuni village, and movement restriction is now in place for the whole island

Public Updates:

As the second dose coverage increases, it is expected that internal borders within Viti Levu will be lifted soon. The public must remain cautious about how they engage in the greater freedom of movement that will be enjoyed. The increased public movement is needed to facilitate livelihood and to get more families together. To avoid the risk of increased spread of the virus, the public must vaccinate, adhere to COVID safe measures and avoid contained spaces and crowds.

Travel from Viti Levu to the North and to the maritime islands remains highly regulated with pre-departure and quarantine protocols in place. Given the near misses in the North and the cases now seen in some of the maritime islands, we have no near-term plans to change the protocols around inter-island travel. We will be looking at increasing our capacity to move people safely to the North and Maritime Islands using the protocols currently in place.

The Ministry of Health and Medical advises all businesses and workplaces that there is an urgent need to refocus on improving ventilation and air quality to support their current COVID safe measures. There is increasing scientific data supporting the contention that improvement in ventilation and air quality in workplaces is a prerequisite to COVID safe conditions whilst sanitization of all contact surfaces provides secondary support in reducing the transmission of the SARS COV.  Maximize natural ventilation by opening windows, doors, and vents when conditions allow (if that does not pose a safety risk), or mechanical ventilation using fans and ducts, or a combination of both. Any poorly ventilated spaces in the workplace must be identified and steps are taken to improve fresh air flow in these areas. The use of portable air cleaners with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in spaces with high occupancy or limited ventilation needs to be a strong consideration. In buildings with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, ensure that:

1. These systems are operating in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and design specifications,
2. All regularly scheduled inspections and maintenance procedures are conducted,
3. Maximize the amount of outside air supplied,
4. Where feasible, installing air filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13 or higher.