1 year old is third Fiji COVID19 patient

Three people now suffer from COVID19 after another member of the Lautoka flight attendants family tested positive today.

Also sick now is a 1 year 2 months old toddler whom Head of Health Protection, Dr Aalisa SahuKhan said was in stable condition at Nadi Hospital.

Meanwhile in Lautoka Hospital, the first patient, a 27 year old flight attendant remains in stable condition while his mother who tested positive on Saturday morning is also stable.

Dr. SahuKhan said the baby had developed a fever on Saturday morning and was tested soon after.

When asked to describe the patients conditions in detail, she said were it not for the contagious nature of COVID19, the three patients were displaying symptoms which ordinarily could be taken care of at home.

Announcing the news just before close of business on March 23, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama called on Fijians to exercise ‘an abundance of caution.”

“I know our border control measures aren’t convenient for everyone, but prioritising convenience won’t save lives. These measures are strict, they are necessary, they have been proven to work around the world, and that is all that matters.”

PM Bainimarama said he was aware current border control measures were not convenient and strict but he said they were necessary and had worked in other countries.

“Everywhere in Fiji, we need to do better. We’ve announced a ban on any gatherings of 20 or more people. “

“But this ban applies to weddings, parties, concerts, sports events, religious services, funerals –– everything, no exceptions. None of these plans are more important than people’s lives. You may live outside of Lautoka, or outside of Viti Levu, and feel that you can still gather and celebrate, safe from harm.”

“This mentality is stupid, as you’re harming yourself. It is destructive, as you’re putting the integrity of our containment measures in jeopardy. And it is selfish, as you are putting the lives of others at risk.”

Meanwhile medical officials continue the contact tracing exercise with 82 passengers from the three flights patient one had serviced, still unaccounted for. They would have been from FJ871 from San Francisco, USA which arrived into Nadi on Monday 16 March and FJ411 from Nadi to Auckland as well as its return flight FJ410 on Tuesday 17 March.

The names were published on the Fijian Government social media platforms in a bid to enlist community support to locate them.