At least 31 Fiji Navy personnel have tested positive of COVID-19 this week.

May 25

A member of the Fiji Navy from Tacirua who presented to the Nuffield Health Centre in Tamavua with symptoms, where he was swabbed and tested positive.  (4.32pm MOH statement)

May 26

12 of the new cases are from Fiji Navy staff who are primary contacts of the Navy staff case announced on May 25.  (5.16pm MOH statement)

9 of the new cases are from the navy cluster.  (8.29pm MOH statement)

May 27

7 naval officers and staff who are contacts of the first naval officer to test positive and are part of the navy cluster.   (5.38pm MOH statement)

May 28

9 from the navy cluster, 2 are Fiji Navy personnel.   (8.29pm MOH statement)

It is understood that most are asymptomatic.  Given their close working spaces on board ships, the Fiji Navy are expecting more cases in the coming days.

In the meantime, monitoring and surveillance of Fiji waters continues.

The RFNS Savenaca is currently conducting a sovereignty patrol of our waters following the suspension of the search for FV Tiro 2. These are coordinated by Navy Operations Center based out of Walu Bay. RFNS Savenaca’s presence will support efforts in maintaining maritime domain awareness and supporting maritime security efforts in the current pandemic environment.

The team at Fiji Maritime Surveillance Search and Rescue Coordination Centre will continue to monitor movements of vessels within Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone using satellite technology.  In addition, the Centre will maintain support of the Ministry Of Health and Medical Services maritime restrictions movement.

The call centre 1539 remains fully operational.

A Fiji Navy statement said, “Despite the setback in the past few days, we will continue to conduct our mandated roles utilizing existing contingencies.”

Fiji Navy personnel involved in screening and content tracing alongside Ministry of Health officials are kept in separate bubbles and away from the Naval base at Walu Bay, Suva.