Ministry ups virus testing

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has directed those suffering from pneumonia and severe respiratory illnesses to be tested for COVID-19. Of the 18 COVID-19 cases the country recorded, 15 have recovered. Fiji has not recorded a new COVID-19 case since April 20, 2020.

Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the Ministry was testing beyond World Health Organisation criteria in a bid to ensure that the virus remained at bay.

“We are also doing random testing of frontline workers, who had worked in the frontline, who may have been looking after the suspected or confirmed cases,” he said. “We will continue to increase our testing capacity so that we are able to control the spread of the virus and also avoid a second wave in the country.”

He said the three active cases that remained in isolation were in stable condition.

“They have not shown any symptoms of the virus, but the test results remain positive.

“It has a protracted cause and that is what we have taken into consideration - to have a control of the virus in making sure we don’t have a second wave of the disease.

“We are still very much in the fight and we need to work together as a nation to combat this.”

Leptospirosis, typhoid, diarrhoea, dengue (LTDD)

Dr Waqainabete said they continued to collectively work hand in hand to avoid those diseases.

“It has been brought to the fore because of the recent weather patterns, but we will ensure to work towards zeroing that.

“We have seen the curve gone down on the number of Leptospirosis, dengue, typhoid and diarrhea cases in the last few months, the numbers now are not as significant as before.”