One new case of COVID-19 was announced by Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Doctor James Fong.

The new case is a woman from Kalokalo Crescent, Makoi who presented to the Makoi health centre today with COVID symptoms.

“At this very early stage in the investigation, no link has been established between this case and others. We’ll be treating this as another case of community transmission until proven otherwise. The contact tracing, testing and isolation protocols are currently activated and the centre is closed for now,” Dr Fong said.

Due to the steadily rising number of cases across Viti Levu, the borders of all six containment areas ––

• Lautoka,
• Nadi,
• Rakiraki,
• Lami,
• Suva and
• Nausori –– are being maintained.

The confirmation of cases of unknown origin is worrying.

“This indicates the virus could still be present in all six areas, so the borders must be enforced, as must the other restrictions we have in place. When the data tells us to proceed in a different direction –– we’ll tell you.”

Dr Fong did not rule out another possible lockdown to eliminate the virus.

“With a full year of experience behind us, we have a much greater understanding of the virus and a range of tools to use to fight it –– including stronger testing capacity and the careFIJI app. We can be targeted in our approach so that if we do lock down an area, or even all of Viti Levu, we do not place undue hardship on people and businesses.

“In other words, future lockdowns, should they be needed, will be targeted and active. They will be targeted because the lockdown area will be defined as narrowly as possible. And they will be active because we will endeavour to permit the broadest range of movement and economic activity possible, in bubbles that mitigate widespread transmission of the virus.

“We want essential services to continue, and we want as many as people as possible to go to their jobs and open their businesses. We cannot expect our economy to recover if we shut entire industries for weeks on end. Some of those jobs –– particularly in manufacturing –– may never come back,” Dr Fong said.