A man who came through the recent India repatriation flight has become the latest COVID-19 patient in Fiji.

He is in a stable condition at the Lautoka Hospital isolation centre.

This was confirmed yesterday by the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqanabete after launching the Leptospirosis, Typhoid, Dengue, and Diarrhea campaign in Ba.

“He came through the India repatriation flight, he was negative but he was tested here and he was positive, he possibly could have picked it up on the way but then again it shows our strategies are effective,” Dr Waqainabete said.

When asked about the possible stopping of repatriation flights from India he said citizens of Fiji travelling from India would not be prohibited from entering the country.

Dr Waqainabete said: “Why would you want to stop Fiji citizens? When you say they are coming through from India, the flight originated from India.”

“We have a duty of care to bring back our people, and we have a public health system meaning no one pays for their health care, it’s paid for by Government through tax payers money.”

He said Fiji unlike other countries was fortunate to have a health system that caters for all.

“We haven’t at all closed our borders to our people and its important to understand that,”he said.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

Feedback: salote.qalubau@fijisun.com.fj