Eight new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total of active cases as of 6pm yesterday to 99.

This was announced by the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Doctor James Fong.

Two cases are from Nadawa, and 7 miles Nasinu, and are primary contacts of case 211 from Tacirua while the third case is from Samabula and is also a primary contact of an earlier case.

Four of the recently announced cases are in Muanikoso – from two separate households. They were all located within the Muanikoso Containment Zone, and were picked up as part of the mass screening currently ongoing in that area.

And, one more case is from Samabula and is an employee of a catering group that was providing food after a funeral gathering held at the Samabula cluster household.

This person was a close contact of a case from that cluster.

Australia tests: 

Dr Fong confirmed that one positive test result was also received from the batch of 7000 swabs sent earlier to Australia. This result was earlier said to have been inconclusive, however, it was later confirmed to have been a positive result.

It was from swabs gathered from Natabua Health Centre in Lautoka and the person tested is from an already known COVID-19 case that was identified as a contact of another case.

She was isolated, treated and then released after recovering.

Concerns: 

Dr Fong said their recent experience tells them that other than within households, this virus was spreading most commonly within workplaces and during social gatherings.

Particularly workplaces with large numbers of staff, like supermarkets, are at high risk for spread of the infection.

“We are urging all workplaces, including supermarkets and other commercial establishments to review your procedures and make sure you are complying with the protocols we have established to eliminate spread.

“Commercial establishments and operators of public transport vehicles must enforce limits on capacity, enforce masking requirements, be diligent about cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, ensure staff do not work if they are sick, and make sure all employees comply and also enforce these procedures. And everyone must download the careFiji app.

“The Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport will work with commercial business owners – particularly supermarkets–and the transport industry to make sure that everyone understands the practices they must follow.

“We have also seen evidence that people have traveled on public transport or done shopping despite experiencing symptoms. We all must take individual responsibility for stopping the spread of this virus. Everyone should recognise the symptoms by now.

“The typical symptoms of COVID-19 include fatigue, fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, or a sudden loss of taste or smell.”

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua 

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