Hospitals around Fiji have restricted visitors by introducing more stringent health practices which include wearing masks.

Ministry of Health and Medical Services Permanent Secretary, Dr James Fong, said all hospitals have been notified to reintroduce more stringent coronavirus safety measures, this includes restricting visitors.

Dr Fong said the ministry had noted an increase in cases admitted that were positive for coronavirus.

“As reported, we continue to see an increasing trend. Recently, severe diseases and deaths have been seen only in those with severe co- morbidities,” he said.

“They are either unvaccinated or have not received the booster dose that would be appropriate given the well-known recommendation for those with severe co-morbidities to have at least one booster.

“We also note an increase in cases admitted that are positive for coronavirus and we are receiving reports of an increase in cases reported from workplaces.”

He said it was important for community leaders to bring back many of the coronavirus safety measures learned and followed during the acute outbreak.

“We must be able to live with coronavirus by reducing the risk of vulnerable people getting the disease and suffering from severe consequences,” he said.

“Coronavirus safety measures prevent us from getting the disease and also reduce the risk of spread to the more vulnerable and less mobile in the community.

“Vaccines have provided a level of protection from severe disease and death that the increasing trends in cases remain less of a concern.

“However, if we do not take measures to reduce the risk of getting the virus, the small percentage of people that get the severe disease will see a large number of people seeking hospital care.”

A large number of people seeking hospital care would mean that they would be competing for hospital resources with those who need emergency care.

Acute cases like heart attack patients, or road traffic accident cases would become more difficult to care for in that scenario.

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