There is a high probability that Fiji will soon experience its third wave of COVID-19.

Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong says it is “likely….we just need statistical definition to be achieved”.

“We are expecting escalated levels of community transmission to be more evident over the ensuing weeks.”

“We are working on the assumption that the Omicron variant is already in Fiji and is being transmitted within the community.”

“We expect that genomic sequencing results of positive samples sent overseas will bear this out.”

Dr Fong is urging Fijians to get their booster shots and not to let their guards down.

He said people should always follow all COVID-19 restrictions because the recent spike of COVID-19 cases was very worrying.

“We cannot afford complacency in our individual COVID-19 safe habits at this time.”

“We need to be boosted and keep up health safe measures,” Dr Fong said.

“The possibility of reintroducing earlier curfews, placing more restrictions on gatherings, and escalating further our masking mandates is always under consideration.”

“However, we plead with the public to demonstrate good sense and apply these restrictions without the need for directives and strong enforcement actions to remind you of the COVID-19 safe measures.”

“Please practice responsible social gatherings and diligently adhere to the COVID-19 safe measures.”

“Be wise about your social gatherings and postpone them if you can.”

“During these pandemic times, it is best that you remain at home and celebrate with your loved ones, rather than gather in large numbers and potentially put at risk the vulnerable members of your families; including those who are unvaccinated.”

“We must all assume that those around us are COVID-19 positive and so we must protect ourselves at all times.”

Meanwhile, a resort in the Western Division, has advised their guests that several guests have tested positive of COVID-19 and are isolating in their rooms

“We need to be boosted. We have had positive travellers who tested negative pre-departure, but positive here.”

“We will need to make the pre-departure test to be within 48 hours rather than 72 hours,” Dr Fong said.

“The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the outbreak using indicators such as daily case numbers, hospitalisations, test positivity, and deaths.”

“COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly globally and especially so in the European and Americas region and throughout Africa.”

“The new highly transmissible variant Omicron is contributing significantly to this increase.”

“As such, we anticipate an increasing number of cases from border quarantine facilities.

“Increased and sustained surveillance and testing at our borders, communities, and maritime islands are vital to monitor and detect COVID-19 cases for early intervention.

“Cases of COVID 19 continue to be identified among travellers into Fiji.

“All these cases were in fully vaccinated individuals who tested negative on their three-day pre-departure PCR test and are now in isolation within hotels, with protocols that have been well-rehearsed in the lead up to border opening and continue to be overseen by Ministry of Health and Medical Services in the Western Division.”

“All their positive samples will be sent to our partner laboratory in Australia for genomic sequencing.”

“If a variant is transmissible enough, stringent border and community measures will only delay the inevitable entry and spread of current and future variants of the COVID-19 virus.”

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