More people are getting admitted for COVID-19, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has reported.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong, said the recent rise has seen more people seeking medical attention, especially those with significant underlying medical conditions and the elderly.

The latest statement from the ministry recorded 268 new cases of the virus in the last five days.

Of the 268 cases recorded, 129 cases were recorded in the Central Division; 122 cases in the Western Division; 17 cases in the Northern and nil cases were in the Eastern Division.

Vaccination Urge

The statement mentioned that unvaccinated adults in Fiji have been dying at a rate 29.6 times higher than fully vaccinated adults.

“We are beginning to see more people coming in for the booster,” Dr Fong said.

“We also urge everyone to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination, especially people over the age of 50, and anyone with underlying medical conditions to get vaccinated and get their first and second booster doses when due.

He said the elderly, and people with underlying medical conditions were at higher risk of severe COVID-19.

A public advisory from the ministry called for people with COVID-19 symptoms to get tested.

“As reported earlier, we continue to see an increasing trend in COVID-19 cases. In recent months, severe disease and death have only been seen in people with significant underlying medical conditions and the elderly,” the advisory stated.

COVID-19 Death

There has been one death reported, where a person who received three doses of the virus vaccine died from severe underlying illness.

As a result of the surge, all hospitals have been notified to reintroduce more stringent COVID safe measures.

These include restricting visitors, more strict enforcement of masking and hand sanitization practices and to strengthen screening protocols.

Community and Workplace leaders have been urged to bring back the COVID safe measures that communities and/or organisation learnt during the acute outbreak.

“We need to be able to live with COVID by reducing the risk of vulnerable people getting COVID and suffering from severe consequences.”

“COVID safe measures prevent us from getting COVID and also reduce the risk of spread to the more vulnerable and less mobile in the community,” the statement further said.

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