Forward together
AS contact tracing teams continue to slowly try and contain the latest COVID-19 cases from spreading, we are reminded about our roles. By yesterday, Permanent Secretary for Health Dr James Fong spoke about their plans to contain the virus.
Restrictions for Fijians outside of the Nadi-Lautoka Containment Area remain unchanged, he said.
Non-work gatherings, he said, should not be happening, of any size, anywhere in Fiji.
“Our discipline and sacrifice today will keep COVIDstricken patients out of ICUs and prevent loss of life,” he said.
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces soldier who tested positive for COVID-19 last weekend remains securely in a border quarantine facility, he said.
“He never entered public spaces.
“Contact tracing has been limited to his 69 primary contacts within the facility, as well as their 267 secondary contacts.”
Dr Fong said so far, none of the 69 primary contacts had tested positive for COVID-19, except for the hotel staff who worked as a maid and who contracted the virus while working in the quarantine facility.
“Only one of the 267 secondary contacts has tested positive so far, the daughter of the hotel staff who, together with the rest of the family, has been in quarantine since Sunday morning, the 18th of April,” he said.
There can be no doubts about the fact that this latest turn of events demands the support of every Fijian.
The Fiji Times is part of this endeavour. It is every Fijian’s duty to be part of the process of fighting the virus. It makes sense because we are all in this together. No one is immune to the negative impact of the global pandemic.
To suggest otherwise is unfortunate.
Our country needs every Fijian to get behind this latest campaign.
All those who may have been impacted by the latest two cases, in anyway, should be encouraged to contact health authorities immediately on the numbers provided.
It is for the good of the nation.
It is for the safety and wellbeing of every Fijian. It is to enable us to return to COVID-contained status.
For now though, we must be responsible enough to adhere strictly to social distancing rules.
That means washing our hands often with soap and water, or we can use a hand sanitiser.
Let’s sneeze into an elbow or into a tissue and dispose this immediately, safely.
Let’s cut out hugs please, and do away with handshakes.
Do not touch your face when out in public.
Wear a mask if you have one when out in public. Rules have been placed for us all. Our challenge is to adhere to them. We have shown we can do all this. We have shown what unity can deliver. Together Fiji!