Let’s remind ourselves

THE revelation that three people who flew into the country from India and England tested positive for COVID-19 should make us sit up and take notice. In fact it should get us to reiterate vigilance when it comes to the global pandemic.

To some extent, we appear to have slowly transitioned into a sense of complacency.

Let’s hope that’s not the case though.

The fact that we are in COVID-containment mode, and it has been 258 days since the last case was detected outside border quarantine, makes us one of the few ‘safe’ nations on the planet.

We are in a unique position as opposed to other more developed nations around the world.

To date we have recorded 49 cases since our first case in March, with the last 31 cases detected under border quarantine facilities.

As of yesterday, CNN reported that the US had surpassed 20 million COVID-19 cases and experts foresee tough times this month.

Across the world, new year celebrations were either downscaled or cancelled because of the virus and precautionary measures.

The US reported a record COVID-19 death toll for the second straight day and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecast projects up to 424,000 US deaths by January 23. The figures are frightening.

However, this is the harsh reality of our times.

If that wasn’t enough, the new COVID-19 variant first identified in the UK had been found in Southern California and Colorado.

Back on the home front, we learn that three people who flew into the country have been tested positive for COVID-19, according to permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong.

He said the two passengers from India were a man and a woman who were both in their 30s.

The third patient was a 34-year-old female who travelled from England and transited via Hong Kong.

The three had been safely and hygienically transferred to an isolation ward at the Lautoka Hospital according to the standard protocol for confirmed cases.

“They have all been asymptomatic and well since this transfer.

“The frontline border and quarantine staff who were directly involved with the cases have followed our standard infection prevention and control protocols, and will be monitored and tested as necessary.”

Our challenge is to remain vigilant. We must be proactive and adhere to social distancing rules.

That means practising what the experts advise us to do. Do not touch your face when out in public places.

Use your elbow or a tissue when you sneeze and dispose this safely.

Our challenge is to keep the status quo, and our country COVID-contained. That will mean every Fijian playing a part in this exercise. This is a reminder.