Fiji has recorded 264 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 new deaths Tuesday, increasing the total number of cases to 37,776 and 325 deaths since the outbreak in April.
Permanent secretary for Health, Dr James Fong said 131 cases are from the Western division and 133 cases are from the Central division in Vitilevu, Fiji’s main island.
Dr Fong said there have been 257 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 24,414 active cases.
“18,948 active cases are in the Central division and 5,446 active cases in the Western division.
“There have been 37,776 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 37, 846 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 12,934 recoveries,” he said.
Dr Fong said the 10 new COVID-19 deaths reported for the period of 30 July – 10August. All deaths were reported from the Central Division.
“The first COVID-19 death to report is an 82-year-old man from Nausori who died at home on 08/08/2021. He was not vaccinated.
“The second COVID-19 death to report is a 69-year-old woman from Suva who died at home on 07/08/2021. She was not vaccinated.
“The third COVID-19 death to report is a 64-year-old woman from Wailea who died at home on 08/08/2021. She received the first dose of the vaccine in late May. She did not receive the 2nd dose of the vaccine. This means that she was not fully vaccinated.
“The fourth COVID-19 death to report is a 64-year-old man from Suva who died at home on 09/08/2021. He was not vaccinated.
“The fifth COVID-19 death to report is a 47-year-old man from Kinoya who died at home on 09/08/2021. He was not vaccinated.
“The sixth COVID-19 death to report is a 44-year-old woman from Lami. She presented to the CWM Hospital in severe respiratory distress. She died ten days after admission at the CWM Hospital (30/07/2021). She was not vaccinated.
“The seventh COVID-19 death to report is a 72-year-old man from Kalabu. He presented to the CWM Hospital in severe respiratory distress. He died one day after admission at the CWM Hospital (09/08/2021). He received the first dose of the vaccine in early June. He did not receive the second dose of the vaccine. This means that he was not fully vaccinated.
“The eighth COVID-19 death to report is a 52-year-old woman from Nabua. She presented to the CWM hospital in severe respiratory distress. She died 12 days after admission on 09/08/2021. She was not vaccinated.
“The ninth COVID-19 death to report is a 63-year-old man from Lami. He presented to the CWM hospital in severe respiratory distress. He died 2 days after admission on 09/08/2021. He was not vaccinated.
The tenth COVID-19 death to report is a 51-year-old woman from Suva. She presented to the CWM hospital in severe respiratory distress. She died 17 days after admission on 10/08/2021. She was not vaccinated,” said Dr Fong.
He said there have been 3 more deaths of COVID-19 positive patients.
“However, these deaths have been classified as non-COVID deaths by their doctors. Doctors have determined that their deaths were caused by serious pre-existing medical conditions and not COVID-19.
“There have now been 327 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 325 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. The 7-day rolling average of COVID-19 deaths per day is 7.
“We also have recorded 171 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 death,” Dr Fong explained.
He said there are currently 300 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospitals in Fiji.
“62 patients are admitted to the Lautoka Hospital, 67 patients are admitted at the FEMAT field hospital, and 171 were admitted at CWM hospital, St Giles, and Makoi. 41 patients are considered to be in severe condition, and 9 are in critical condition.
“The 7-day daily test average is 2489 tests per day or 2.8 tests per 1,000 population. The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 37.1 percent,” he said.
Dr Fong said the drop in daily reported cases does not mean that the outbreak is on a downward trend.
“Our daily testing numbers have also been dropping due to the change in testing policy in Suva-Nausori corridor. This was done so that resources could be targeted to early detection, monitoring and care of persons with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of severe disease, to prevent more people succumbing to severe disease and death.
“Test positivity in Suva-Nausori was between 40-50% before the change in testing policy and has remained at this high level, which is above the national average. This is one indicator of the continuing high level of community transmission in this area.
“Testing levels in the Western Division remain consistently high with 3.8-4 tests per 1000 population per day at a 7-day average. We are seeing increasing cases reported in the Western Division with evidence of widespread community transmission in that division. We are also recording increasing numbers of people with severe disease and deaths in the West,” said Dr Fong.
As of 09 August 513, 35 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 180,722 have received their second doses. This means that 87.5% of the target population have received at least one dose and 30.8% are now fully vaccinated nationwide.
SOURCE: PACNEWS
