Fiji has recorded 302 new cases of COVID-19 and nine new deaths Tuesday, increasing the total number of cases to 44,420 and 451 deaths since the outbreak in April.
Ministry of Health permanent secretary Dr James Fong said 148 cases were from the Western division and 154 cases from the Central division, in Vitilevu, Fiji’s main island.
Dr Fong also reported two individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 at Cubi Settlement, on Malolo Island.
“Early investigations reveal that these two individuals travelled to Malolo Island from Viti Levu without proper authorisation,” Dr Fong said.
“They are currently isolated. Further details will be provided once investigations are complete,” he said.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is again urging all Fijians not to engage in unauthorised travel to and from Viti Levu.
“All our current protocols to regulate domestic movements must be followed to prevent the spread of the virus beyond Viti Levu. The remoteness of the maritime islands, and their limited resources, mean that any outbreak with severe cases will be very challenging to manage. We need the people in our maritime islands fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to help protect them from severe disease and death before any movement occurs beyond the currently controlled repatriation.
“We repeat our call to all village leaders and elders to support our current efforts to protect our maritime islands and to immediately report any suspicious movements into your community,” Dr Fong said.
He said there have been 430 new recoveries reported since the last update, which means that there are now 18,916 active cases.
“9,653 active cases are in the Central division, 9,127 active cases in the Western division, one active case in the Northern division (Nabouwalu) and 135 active cases in the Eastern division (all in Kadavu).
“There have been 44,420 cases during the outbreak that started in April 2021. We have recorded a total of 44,490 cases in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 24,855 recoveries,” he said.
Dr Fong said the nine new COVID-19 deaths reported for the period of 18 -23 August. Four deaths were reported from the Central division and five deaths were reported from the Western division.
“There have been nine 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 453 deaths due to COVID-19 in Fiji, with 451 of these deaths during the outbreak that started in April this year. As of 19 August, the national seven-day rolling average of COVID-19 deaths per day is 10. The seven-day rolling average for COVID-19 deaths per day in the Central division is four and in the Western division is six.
“We also have recorded 266 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,” Dr Fong explained.
He said there are currently 264 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals in Fiji.
“111 patients are admitted at the Lautoka Hospital, 38 patients are admitted at the FEMAT field hospital, and 115 admitted at CWM hospital, St Giles, and Makoi. 24 patients are considered to be in severe condition, and 10 are in critical condition.
The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 27.9 percent,” Dr Fong said.
As of 23 August, 545,459 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 241,027 have received their second doses.
“This means that 93 percent of the target population have received at least one dose and 41.1 percent are now fully vaccinated nationwide,” Dr Fong said.
SOURCE: PACNEWS
