Fiji recorded a new high in coronavirus infections yesterday with 116 cases, but health officials are expecting numbers to climb even higher going forward.
Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong told Mai TV that the surge in cases numbers are to be expected because they are happening in contained spaces with plenty of people.
However, as numbers increase, so too the Ministry of Health’s efforts to contain the spread and occurrences of severe cases, and its reminder to the public on the importance of adhering to COVID-safe protocols.
“While we continue to respond to new cases and monitor the outbreak closely, our mitigation measures to cater for severe illness are presently able to cater for our current caseload. With the rising case numbers, the risk of an increase in severe cases is high but there are contingency measures in place to respond accordingly.”
Dr Fong
The outbreak, based on the number of daily cases, is escalating in the Lami – Nausori containment area, with the majority of the cases in the lockdown areas/clusters. The seven-day rolling average of daily cases is now at 68 cases per day.
“Our advice to the public remains the same. Please do all you can to protect yourselves and your loved ones from this virus. Stay at home as much as possible. If you have to leave your home: wear a mask, keep at least 2 metres between yourselves and others outside your household, frequently wash your hands with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Turn on your careFIJI App and bluetooth. Behave as if anyone you encounter outside your home may have the virus. Don’t attend social gatherings. Don’t drink grog with anyone outside your household. Don’t invite anyone home. And please get vaccinated. It will reduce your risk of contracting the virus and help protect you from severe disease and death if you do get infected with COVID-19. “
Dr Fong
