19 new COVID-19 cases

19 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded since last Thursday.

Of the 19 cases recorded, 6 cases were recorded in the Central Division while 13 cases were recorded in the Western Division.

There are a total of 75 active cases in the country.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says vaccination of the target population has been progressing well with the 12 years and above coverage rate for Fiji being 99% for the first dose and 89% for the second dose.

He says as at yesterday, 165,773 or 53% booster-eligible individuals have so far received their third dose while 26,255 individuals have been administered the fourth dose.

Dr. Fong says recently the WHO Director-General made comments that the end of the pandemic is in sight and most relevant is the comment that the fact that the end is in sight should add to the need for countries to strengthen their capacity to live with the virus.

He says Fiji continues to see a persistent decrease in cases and has supported the removal of in-country testing of incoming travellers and the reduction of the isolation period for positive COVID-19 cases to 5 days.

However, Dr. Fong says strengthening our ability to live with COVID means we remain vigilant.

He says maintaining community-wide adoption of COVID safe measures where appropriate and maintaining impetus for immunisation remains the only means to reduce the disease spread and protect those in the community who are less able to fend for themselves.