Fiji has recorded 1,043 new positive COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths Sunday.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services permanent secretary Dr James Fong confirmed the new COVID deaths for the period of 14 -July to 17 July.
Dr Fong said the first COVID-19 death was a 77-year-old woman from Toorak.
“She presented to the CWM Hospital Emergency Department in severe respiratory distress. Her condition worsened in the hospital and she died on the same day (17/07/2021). She was not vaccinated.
“The second COVID-19 death to report is a 49-year-old man from Vatuwaqa. He presented to the CWM Hospital Emergency Department in severe respiratory distress. His condition worsened in the hospital and he died on the same day (15/07/2021). He received the 1st dose of the vaccine on the 14th of June. He had not received the 2nd dose of the vaccine. This means that he was not fully vaccinated.
“The third COVID-19 death to report is an 88-year-old woman from Nasinu who died at home on 14/07/2021. She was not vaccinated.
“The fourth COVID-19 death to report is a 68-year-old man from Cunningham. He was brought to the FEMAT field hospital on 16/07/2021 and declared dead on arrival by the attending medical officer. This means that he died at home or on his way to the hospital. His family reported that he had been unwell, with symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath for at least 7 days at home. He was not vaccinated.
“The fifth COVID-19 death to report is a 76-year-old man from Laucala Beach. He was brought to the FEMAT field hospital and noted to be in severe respiratory distress. His condition worsened in the FEMAT field hospital and he died on the same day (16/07/2021). His family reported that he had been feeling unwell with a cough at home. He received his 1st dose of the vaccine on 29/06/2021. He had not received the 2nd dose of the vaccine. This means that he was not fully vaccinated.
“The sixth COVID-19 death to report is a 65-year-old woman from Kinoya. She presented to the FEMAT field hospital in severe respiratory distress. Her condition worsened in the FEMAT field hospital and she died on the same day (17/07/2021). She received the 1st dose of the vaccine in early June. She had not received the 2nd dose of the vaccine. This means that she was not fully vaccinated.
“The seventh COVID-19 death to report is a 69-year-old woman from Samabula. She presented to a medical facility in severe respiratory distress. She was retrieved by a medical team to the FEMAT field hospital. Her condition worsened in the FEMAT field hospital and she died on the same day (17/07/2021). She received the 1st dose of the vaccine in early July. She had not received the 2nd dose of the vaccine. This means that she was not fully vaccinated.
“The eighth COVID-19 death to report is a 86 year old man from Valelevu who died at home on 17/07/2021. He was not vaccinated.
“The ninth COVID-19 death to report is an 84-year-old woman from Raiwaqa who died at home on 17/07/2021. She was not vaccinated.
“The tenth COVID-19 death to report is a 60-year-old woman from Nausori She presented to a medical facility in severe respiratory distress. Her condition worsened at the medical facility and she died on the same day (17/07/2021). She was not vaccinated.
“The eleventh COVID-19 death to report is a 77-year-old woman from Narere. She presented to a medical facility in severe respiratory distress. Her condition worsened at the medical facility and she died on the same day (14/07/2021). Her family reported that she was unwell with COVID-19 symptoms two days before. She was not vaccinated.
“The twelfth COVID-19 death to report is a 63-year-old man from Valelevu who died at home (15/07/2021). His family reported that he had been unwell with COVID-19 symptoms (cough and shortness of breath). He received the 1st dose of the vaccine in early June. He had not received the 2nd dose of the vaccine. This means that he was not fully vaccinated.
“The thirteenth COVID-19 death to report is a 70-year-old woman from Toorak who died at home on 15/07/2021. She was not vaccinated,” said Dr Fong.
He said there have been 7 more deaths of COVID-19 positive patients.
“Their deaths have been classified as non-COVID deaths by their doctors. Doctors have determined that these deaths were caused by serious pre-existing medical conditions and not COVID-19.
“There have now been 98 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 96 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. We also have recorded 41 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 deaths.
“There have been 388 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 13,610 active cases. There have been 17,444 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 17,514 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 3,765 recoveries.
There are 9 more deaths currently under investigation. These will be discussed once investigations (including test results) and classifications are complete,” said Dr Fong.
Dr Fong said based on available testing numbers, the national 7-day daily test average is 3860 tests per day or 4.4 tests per 1,000 population.
“The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 24 percent and continues on an upward trend.
“The 7-day average of new cases per day is 1000 cases per day or 1130 cases per million population per day. Average daily case numbers are increasing, together with cases of severe disease and deaths.
“In the Suva-Nausori containment zone, people with severe COVID-19 are still dying at home, or they are coming to a medical facility in the late stages of severe illness. Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency, and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment reduces your chance of recovering from the disease,” Dr Fong said.
As of the 17th July 393,095 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 78,624 have received their second doses.
“This means that 67% of the target population have received at least one dose and 13.4 % are now fully vaccinated nationwide,” he said.
On Friday Fiji recorded 1,405 new cases of covid -19 and six deaths. On Saturday Fiji recorded 1,180 new cases of Covid-19 and five deaths.
SOURCE: PACNEWS
