Qauia on lockdown

A 48-HOUR lockdown was implemented for residents of Qauia settlement, Lami, beginning 4am yesterday to 4am tomorrow.

An advisory issued by the Ministry of Health stated the aim of the lockdown was to allow the ministry to conduct rapid screening, tracing, swabbing and quarantine or isolation of cases of interest in Qauia Settlement.

“This exercise is an opportunity to check for COVID-like symptoms and travel/movement histories that may have put residents in the path of Fijians living with COVID -19,” the statement read.

“It is a necessary step and one of the ways to stop this infection from spreading further in the community.

“Mobile screening teams will be visiting households within the boundaries highlighted on the map.

“The physical boundary will be determined by the RFMF C-19 taskforce, health and police team on site in Qauia who will be conducting COVID-19 screening, tracing and swabbing in this 48-hour period. “

The ministry had advised residents within the area to stay home and avoid any contact with people from other households.

Earlier, the ministry’s permanent secretary Dr James Fong had revealed that they had recorded an increase in new cases from the Lami area.

Dr Fong said the ministry was working with other government agencies and the community to establish additional isolation facilities in the Lami area to cater for the positive cases from the area.