Fiji’s Ministry of Health says interaction of children under 18, irrespective of their vaccination status, within communities while adhering to COVID safe measures particularly outside their households, is safe.
In their latest advisory, the ministry said overall there are proportionally fewer symptomatic infections, and cases with severe outcomes from COVID-19 in children and adolescents, compared with older age groups, and therefore such restrictions are not justified from a public health perspective.
“This is especially so that with the added requirement to adhere to COVID safe measures, the inherent lower risk in children and adolescents is further reduced,” the ministry stated.
“So while the Ministry is encouraging the vaccination of our children less than 18 years, it is still not compulsory and children are safe to interact in our communities while employing COVID safe measures at all times outside their households.”
Meanwhile, since the last update, Fiji has recorded 659 new cases over the last two days, six deaths from COVID and 25 deaths with COVID. Of the 659 new coronavirus infections, 312 were recorded on Tuesday 18 January, and 347 cases as at 8am yesterday, Wednesday 19 January.
Of these new cases, 295 were recorded in the Central Division; 325 in the Western Division, 36 in the Northern Division, and 3 in the Eastern Division.
