Four new border cases
50,000 PEOPLE IN FIJI HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE. 24,000 more AstraZeneca vaccines are expected to arrive in the next few days, roll out in two weeks.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services announced four new border quarantine cases of COVID-19. The first two cases are a 38-year-old female and a 15-year-old male, who are family members that travelled to Fiji from Manila, Philippines, arriving in Nadi on flight NZ952 from Auckland on April 8.
The other two cases are a 69-year-old male and a 38-year-old male, who are family members that travelled to Fiji from Rajkot, India, arriving in Nadi on flight FJ1362 from Singapore on April 10.
All four border quarantine cases returned positive test results during routine testing while undergoing 14 day quarantine at a Government supervised border quarantine facility in Nadi. They have been transferred to the isolation ward at Lautoka Hospital according to the standard protocol for positive cases.
With these latest cases there are now five active cases admitted at the Lautoka Hospital isolation unit, with one recent recovery.
Meanwhile, it has been 365 days since the last case was detected outside border quarantine on April 18, 2020.
Fiji has had 72 cases in total, with 65 recoveries and 2 deaths, since our first case was reported on March 19, 2020.
The last 54 cases have been international travel associated cases detected in border quarantine.
A total of 42,492 COVID-19 laboratory tests have been conducted, with a daily average of 237 tests per day over the last seven days, and a weekly average of 2008 tests per week over the last two weeks.
There are currently 698 people who have recently arrived from overseas undergoing mandatory 14-day quarantine in Government supervised border quarantine facilities.
■ Below is a joint statement from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services with the Department of Information.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will be holding a virtual press conference today for international media to announce 365 days since Fiji’s last local case of COVID-19
The announcement will be livestreamed at 2pm.
Following the virtual event, a briefing will be held for local media at 3pm at the Sofitel Resort and Spa regarding Fiji’s strategy to fully re-open flows of trade, tourism, and labour between Fiji and Australia and New Zealand in the immediate term, as well as other development partners in the near future.
Vaccines
More than 50,000 people in Fiji have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
On Thursday alone, 12,354 people were vaccinated.
It is evident through this massive turnout that Fijians are once again committed to protecting themselves, their families, and Fiji during this pandemic.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services ended the vaccine campaign on Friday because the current vaccine supply had been exhausted.
The little remaining vaccine stock will be used for targeted vaccination activities.
The second batch of 24,000 AstraZeneca vaccines is expected to arrive in the next few days through the COVAX facility.
Members of the public are advised to prepare for the next phase which will begin in two weeks.
Until then, please do continue to register to get vaccinated. Registering in advance will reduce your waiting time at future vaccination sites.
Why do I need to register?
• The registration will help the Ministry of Health and Medical Services plan and coordinate the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
• The vaccine used requires 2 doses given within a specific time period for maximum protection against the virus.
• You will be reminded in time for your second dose once you have registered and received your first dose.
Where can I register?
Register at your nearest Health Facility. You will need a Valid Photo ID (Passport, Voter ID Card, FNPF Card, Driver’s Licence, Student ID, TIN Joint Card).
You may also register online at vra. digitalfiji.gov.fj
You will need your Birth Registration Number and a valid photo ID
(Passport, Voter ID Card, FNPF Card, Driver’s Licence, Student ID, TIN Joint Card). The birth registration number is on your birth certificate. If you don’t have your birth certificate, please go to your nearest Births, Deaths, and Marriages office to locate your birth registration number free of charge.
Foreign Nationals Living in Fiji
You will need your Permit Number and a valid photo ID (Passport, Voter ID Card, FNPF Card, Driver’s Licence, Student ID, TIN Joint Card) to register.
Naturalised Citizens
You will need your Citizen Certificate Number (CCN) and a valid photo ID (Passport, Voter ID Card, FNPF Card, Driver’s Licence, Student ID, TIN Joint Card).