The Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said there were enough medical professionals in Labasa to nurse positive COVID-19 patients if cases increase.

His comments come as two positive cases were confirmed in Labasa recently.

“With the current numbers of cases, contacts and keeping in mind our containment strategy, I can say yes we have enough doctors and nurses to look after COVID-19 patients in Labasa,” Dr Waqainabete said.

“Currently, two quarantine facilities occupied in Labasa are Labasa College’s girls hostel and Fiji Forest Industries quarters in Malau,” he said.

There are 16 people in Malau and 27 at Labasa College.

When asked if COVID-19 cases increased from these two facilities, would he still allow the rest to leave for home after completing 14 days.

He replied that they would be released only according to the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s protocols.

Meanwhile, Labasa Hospital Medical Superintendent Doctor Jaoji Vulibeci confirmed that currently there was only one positive COVID-19 patient at the hospital and the others were at Malau.

He said while 50 medical staff from various health centres in the North were deployed to the Central Division, he assured that the present staff complement would be able to meet the needs of the current total of COVID-19 patients.

Dr Waqainabete said there were enough oxygen cylinders in Labasa Hospital, Savusavu Sub-divisional Hospital, Taveuni Sub-divisional Hospital and Nabouwalu Sub-divisional Hospital in the Northern Division.

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