Growing numbers a concern

THE revelation by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services permanent secretary, Dr James Fong, that new clusters of COVID-19 cases in new locations pose a serious risk of wider transmissions will raise some concern.

As the number of cases surpassed the 1000 mark since the second outbreak of COVID-19 started in April, Dr Fong said the ministry was prepared to mitigate the impact of a larger number of daily case totals.

While he insists the ministry has contingency plans “in place to care for patients who develop severe cases of the virus”, it is a concern none-the-less moving forward.

The staggering 121 new cases announced on Wednesday night would have inched out great concern. It would have inched out a sense of uncertainty, fear and to some extent, frustration and anger.

“This case surge is not inevitable and widespread public adherence to the health protection measures in force can limit or stop the spread of COVID-19 entirely and lessen the growing burden on our frontline health officials,” Dr Fong said.

He urged Fijians to adopt an attitude of vigilance and COVID-safe discipline.

“If you need to move, wear a mask, wash your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitiser, install careFIJI on your phones and keep Bluetooth switched on,” he said.

“Maintain a strict physical distance of two metres from others, and do not enter closed contained spaces with others.”

This is well and good, but like a letter writer wondered, how long do we have to continue telling people this?

How often do they need to be reminded?

There are still far too many people not adhering at all to safety advice.

They are still engaging in dangerous behaviour. They are still sharing a bilo for kava, and still sharing a cigarette. They are still shaking hands, and hugging mates and others.

There are people still trying to beat the curfew daily. There are still people walking in and out of clearly marked lockdown areas.

We can harp on about safety advice. We can talk about what shouldn’t be done. We can continue to urge people to adhere to COVID-19 safety rules.

Yet we cannot force everyone to do so.

The onus is really on each one of us to do the right thing.

We can only urge people to be considerate of the plight of their fellow Fijians.

There will be keen interest focused on the powers that be. The numbers are just too much. The new clusters are worrying. In saying that though, we will continue to look up to the powers that be to make decisions that are for the greater good of the nation.