Tests Confirm Community Transmission of Both Omicron, Delta in Fiji

The results of positive samples sent to the Doherty Institute in Melbourne for genomic sequencing have confirmed, as expected, that we have community transmission throughout Fiji of both Omicron and Delta variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.

This was confirmed the Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong.

The confirmation comes as Fiji continues to record lower than expected hospitalization numbers despite the current resurgence in COVID-19 cases throughout the country.

In a statement, Dr Fong said omicron is vastly more infectious than Delta.

"As such, in keeping with what we see in other countries, the Omicron will become the dominant variant.  As Omicron spreads very fast, you should assume you are infected, and self-isolate, if you develop any cold/flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, body ache, fever.

"If you have any of these symptoms, please stay home to prevent infecting others, especially those who may be more at risk of severe disease. You should get tested if you can, but especially if you are at higher risk of severe disease. You are at higher risk of severe disease if you are over the age of 50, or have any significant chronic disease like heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, diabetes, hypertension or you are obese or pregnant. If anyone in your home is at higher risk of developing severe disease, please try to isolate yourself away from them," Dr Fong said.

What to expect for the third wave?

Omicron has been shown to escape immunity from infection induced by previous infection or vaccination. This means that people that have been previously infected by other variants or have been fully vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine, can get infected with Omicron, Dr Fong said.

However, Omicron is more likely to cause milder disease.

This is backed up with data from the UK and South Africa that show that the risk of hospitalization with Omicron compared with Delta is reduced by as much as 80 percent and, once in hospital, the risk of severe diseases with Omicron is reduced by as much as 70 percent. As with previous variants, unvaccinated people are at higher risk of severe disease.

"With more than 92 percent of adults fully vaccinated, we expect that our high vaccination rates, plus the infection-induced immunity from the large number of people who were infected during the last wave, will help to lower the number of people that develop severe disease."

Dr Fong said that the majority of individuals testing positive in medical facilities are presenting for non-COVID medical problems and found to be positive while undergoing routine screening as all admissions to the hospital are currently tested for COVID-19.  Also, the vast majority of cases turning positive have minimal symptoms and remain stable, he said.

However, Dr Fong emphasised that severe outcomes will still be expected in some individuals, including those who have been immunized with two doses of the vaccine, especially people with severe underlying medical conditions and/or are over the age of 50.

"These factors do place a person at higher risk of severe disease, even if fully vaccinated. We have in place measures that ensure that those vulnerable to severe disease are adequately monitored, tested, retrieved, and effectively managed in a timely manner before their conditions worsen."

To ensure this happens, Dr Fong encouraged cooperation and support of community networks in formal and informal community settings and business settings, to work in tandem with the Ministry.

"t requires that a register of vulnerable persons is established and kept in each of the settings mentioned and leaders in these settings set up a means by which vulnerable persons are checked on. If they do not feel well, they should be tested early and if positive, the nearest medical team is informed so that measures are put in place to ensure early access to medical treatment with any early signs of deterioration."

He said the current epidemic will impact our testing capacity.

"Many countries are struggling with testing capacity and we will be no different. As such, we continue to prioritize testing to prevent severe illness and death and to focus on transmission suppression where the risk of transmission is high."

Dr Fong said rapid antigen tests are very good at quickly detecting the people we need to find and isolate: those with high amounts of virus in their nose (who are therefore more infectious). These tests are more accessible than PCR tests, and the turnaround from sampling to result is much faster.

"However, antigen tests will miss people with lower amounts of the virus early in the disease. With the high prevalence of COVID-19 currently, if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and test negative on a single rapid antigen test, you should still assume you have COVID-19 and self-isolate."