Infectious mutation

A NEW, highly infectious mutation of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly across the UK and parts of Europe. In the UK the number of infections has increased more than 200 per cent in a week and still rising.

This has led to full-scale lockdowns in some parts of the country and greater lockdowns are expected.

It is believed that the strain is no more virulent than past strains and that probably the new vaccines are effective against it. One hopes so.

In Sydney, Australia, a significant outbreak of coronavirus has occurred which is leading to travel restrictions et cetera. Analysis shows the COVID strain comes from the USA, but nobody can understand how it got into the country. A worrying development.

Here in Fiji the wrath of Cyclone Yasa has devastated a large swathe of Vanua Levu, and smaller areas of Viti Levu.

We all know that despite best efforts people are going to get very sick from viral diseases, and we certainly do not want COVID getting into the mix, especially the new strain.

All our available resources need to be directed to assisting those affected by Yasa.

We need to be scaling back repatriation flights to zero to free up resources and to ensure that no COVID cases get in, even though a good job has been done by border security and the rest so far.

We have been told that more repatriation flights are planned, and that more COVID cases can be expected.

No, it must stop.

If the powers that be decide to continue repatriation, for whatever obscure reason, then those being quarantined must burden the costs themselves, and if they bring in COVID, be prepared to foot the medical bills as well.

Fiji cannot keep subsidising this practice when Yasa victims are crying out for help.

ALLAN LOOSLEY

Tavua