Fiji

National 7s competitions resume in Samoa and Fiji

Samoa's National Sevens Series kicked off this morning at Marist St Joseph's Stadium in Lotopa.

There are 24 men's teams and four women's teams competing.

The men will each play two games today, with the eight pool winners advancing to the Cup quarter-finals.

The women's teams will join the competition tomorrow and play three games each in a round-robin format, before the men's semis and finals.

Meanwhile, the fourth leg of Fiji's Super Sevens Series has kicked off in Suva.

Fiji to implement three-day quarantine for international travelers

The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong said this will involve a three- day stay in a hotel with a test to be done on day two.

A negative result will allow for discharge into the community on day three.

Dr Fong also said  incoming travel from today will be restricted to diplomats, returning residents, permit holders, and those approved by the Covid 19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce.

The Border Risk Reduction Protocol Processes will be trialed during this time and further refined in preparation for the 1st of December.

Fiji reopens international borders

From today, only fully vaccinated diplomats, returning Fijian residents, permit holders and those approved by the Covid-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce will be allowed in.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said fully vaccinated tourists from travel partners including New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the United States can enter Fiji from 1 December.

Record rise prompts warning of 100,000 deaths

Case numbers have soared and Germany on Wednesday registered its highest rate of infection since the pandemic began, with almost 40,000 cases in a day.

"We have to act right now," said Christian Drosten, who described a real emergency situation.

Doctors in the intensive care Covid ward at Leipzig University Hospital warn this fourth wave could be the worst yet.

One patient here, a woman in her 20s, has just given birth. Her baby is fine, but staff say they don't know whether she'll survive.

Fiji receives first batch of Pfizer vaccine

The Aotearoa government said they are proud to share the vaccines with Fiji to help protect 12-14 year olds against Covid-19.

The vaccines will be rolled out as early as next week.

New Zealand continues to work with Fiji as it builds resilience against the pandemic.

The Ministry of Health had earlier stated that they are training 200 staff in order to rollout Pfizer vaccines for children.

The Ministry hopes to start the vaccination campaign to support the safe reopening of schools.

     

Covid-19 positive cases continue to decrease in Fiji

The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. James Fong said this is indicating a better control of community transmission.

Fong added that they test for Covid-19 to strengthen the public health response and not to appease the public.

“It would be the height of stupidity for us to go and reduce the amount of testing to match the narrative of opening the border. We did not decide on the opening of the border based on that.”

Doctor Fong also said they can’t hold the whole country back because a small group of people are not vaccinated.

Fiji records 33 Covid-19 cases in the northern division

The cases have been recorded for the period of the past seven days accounting for one percent of the cumulative cases nationally.

The Central Division recorded 64 cases, 48 in the West and two in the Eastern Division within the same period.

The Ministry of Health said travel for short-term goals to the North is likely to be adversely affected if a person turns out positive while in quarantine.

Fiji receives last batch of COVID-19 vaccines from Australia

Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes said they have been able to surpass their initial commitment for the AstraZeneca jabs.

“And we’re here today to announce that we’ve delivered almost 1.1 million vaccines in the six months. But it doesn’t end here as our support for Fiji will continue”

Fiji’s Minister of Health Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the donation enabled Fiji to vaccinate more than 50 percent of the target population against COVID-19.

Fiji trains 200 health staffs prior to Pfizer vaccine rollout

The Ministry hopes to start the vaccination campaign from 15th November to support the safe reopening of schools.

MOH’s Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong said  Covid-19 poses a lower risk to children however secondary transmission from young school-aged children can and does occur.

Dr Fong added with the successful rollout of the Moderna vaccine for 15 to 17 years old, the Ministry is now focusing on the lower age group.

Fiji withdraws its bid to host 2027 Pacific Games

Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee CEO, Lorraine Mar confirmed the withdrawal to national sporting federations.

Mar said the association has had to withdraw during the height of the second wave of the pandemic, as it has continued to pose adverse effects in the country.