COVID-19 Fiji: 11 newly announced deaths plus a man who had died in July

Fiji’s coronavirus infections tally since the April outbreak has increased to 42,541, of which 652 people have died after 781 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths were announced overnight, among them an 89-year-old man from Suva who died a month ago.

Of the 781 new cases, 626 were detected in the West, 154 in the central division and one in the eastern division involving a 63-year-old woman from Rakiraki village in Yale who died on her way to the Vunisea Hospital where she later tested positive for the virus.

Her death has been listed as under investigation by the Ministry of Health. This means her death has not been accounted for in the 11 newly announced deaths, three of which attributed to other causes and eight confirmed COVID-19 deaths.

Regarding the delayed death announcement, Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong said the incident was under investigation by police.

Total recoveries have risen to 20,677 after 862 more COVID-19 patients reportedly recovered. This brings to 21,211 active case numbers (12,940 active cases are in the central division, 8270 active cases in the western division and 1 active case in the northern division).

Deaths (19 July; 15 – 19 August – six in the central division and two in the West)

• Caused by COVID-19
  • 19 July
    • Man, 89, Suva
      • Unvaccinated
      • Declared dead on arrival at the CWM Hospital emergency department
      • The announcement of this death was delayed as it was under investigation by the forensic unit of the Fiji Police Force.
  • 15 August
    • Woman, 60, Navua
      • Unvaccinated
      • Died at home
  • 16 August
    • Woman, 58, Naitasiri
      • Unvaccinated
      • Died at home
  • 17 August
    • Male, 77, Nakasi
      • Unvaccinated
      • Died at home
    • Male, 63, Vatuwaqa
      • Unvaccinated
      • Died at home
  • 18 August
    • Male, 88, Ba
      • Unvaccinated
      • Presented to the Ba Mission Hospital in severe respiratory distress. His family reported that he had a history of fever, cough and shortness of breath one week prior to presentation.
      • He had been in hospital for a day before his passing.
    • Woman, 78, Sigatoka
      • Unvaccinated
      • Died at home
  • 19 August
    • Male, 54, Suva
      • Unvaccinated
      • Presented to the CWM Hospital in severe respiratory distress.
      • He died eleven days after admission.
  • Total COVID-19 Deaths
    • With today’s newly reported deaths, there have now been 421 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 419 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year.

• Non-COVID Death
  • There have been three more deaths of COVID-19 positive patients, bringing to 233 the number of positive patients who have also died but whose deaths have been attributed to other causes.

• Death Under Investigation
  • Woman, 63, Kadavu
    • Unvaccinated
    • Declared dead on arrival at the Vunisea Hospital on Kadavu on 17 August
    • Her family reported that she had symptoms of cough, fever and shortness of breath.
    • She was swabbed as per protocol and tested positive for COVID-19.
    • This death is currently classified as under investigation while awaiting investigation and issuance of a death certificate by the medical team.

• Average COVID-19 Deaths
  • As of 15 August, the national 7 day rolling average of COVID-19 deaths per day is 11. The 7-day rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day in the central division is five and in the western division, six.