Fiji

This takes the total number of infections since the second outbreak started in April to over 900, with 702 active cases currently in isolation.

Health Secretary Dr James Fong said last night 42 of the new cases are linked to existing clusters: Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH), Suva 19; Nawaka, Nadi 15; the government's COVID-19 Incident Management Team (IMT) 3; Waila, Nausori - 1; Muanikoso, Nasinu - 1; Navy - 1 and Reservoir Road, Suva - 2.

As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Fiji, Save the Children is providing grocery packs to feed hundreds of children whose families' incomes have been impacted.

The Fiji government has been urged to form a clear strategy on social support for families during the outbreak.

The call comes as a surge in food shortages has Fiji's charities run off their feet, while health authorities struggle to contain the spread of the virus on the main island Viti Levu.

There are now over 600 active cases since the latest outbreak began in April.

This takes the total number of infections since the outbreak started in April to 900, with 684 active cases currently in isolation.

The Health Ministry said two cases were from the Lami-Nausori containment zone and their links to other cases are unknown.

Health secretary Dr James Fong said the rest of the cases were linked to existing clusters: Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) - 6; Nawaka, Nadi - 35; Vunimono - 2; the government's Covid-19 Incident Management Team (IMT) - 4 and Waila - 1.

32 of the new cases are linked to existing clusters with the highest number of 11 cases reported in the country’s largest hospital, CWM in Suva.

The cases at CWM has forced the Ministry of Health to relook at the delivery of services and close the Emergency Services Department.

The public is being referred to a field hospital set up by the Fiji Emergency Medical Assistance Team.

According to the ministry, there are an additional seven cases which are under investigation to determine if they have any links to other cases.

Charities have been working hard to deal with a desperate need for food and other necessities like baby formula, masks and medicine.

In the squatter settlements in the Nasinu district on the outskirts of Suva many people live hand to mouth at the best of times.

Now things are getting critical because people have been laid off during the prolonged lockdown, according to Usaia Moli, the president of the local branch of the Council of Social Services, a nationwide charity.

As cases increase daily, authorities have begun isolating positive cases in their homes as isolation facilities are full.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr James Fong, “ Due to the high number of cases and constraints on quarantine capacity, new positive cases are being entered into home isolation, where feasible. Specific guidance has been provided for these individuals to ensure they do not have contact with other members of their households."

However, the Health Ministry has clarified that the death is not COVID-related and is due to serious medical illness.

This is the second COVID-19 patient to have died from non-COVID-related causes.

The death of the first patient, a 38-year-old woman was confirmed over the weekend.

She was already ill due to other serious medical conditions for which she had been admitted to the hospital.

Photo Caption: CWM Hospital, Suva.           Source: FILE Photo

Fiji’s Parliament has passed the Public Health Amendment Bill 2021 which paves the way for police officers to impose “on-the-spot” payment of fines for people not wearing masks and businesses not adhering to COVID safe measures

It will now bring in fines for offences which may include the failure to wear an appropriate face covering or present the careFIJI mobile application on entering business premises, or the failure to comply with mandatory curfews, physical distancing requirements and capacity restrictions for gatherings, events, public service vehicles and businesses.

There are several new clusters confirmed with cases emerging in Naitasiri 35km outside  of Suva and from various localities outside of the Suva Nausori containment zones.

Two cases are from Matainasau Village in Naitasiri, one of whom was recently discharged from the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and one case had moved to Tavua Village by the time the results were known.

There is one each case from Laselevu, Savusavu settlement and Vuisiga Village in Vunidawa, Naitasiri.

The assurance comes amid an escalating number of cases on the main island, Viti Levu, with clusters in both hospitals and the Navy.

Health secretary James Fong said the frontline public health response teams were conducting surveillance and containment efforts in the communities.

The ministry screened and tested its frontline personnel for their safety and the public's safety because "they come into contact with persons who have been exposed to the virus", Fong said.