294 COVID patients admitted in hospital - 56 patients in severe condition and 11 in critical condition

There are currently 294 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital - 56 patients are in severe condition and 11 in critical condition.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says 28 patients are admitted at Lautoka hospital.

In Suva, 81 patients are admitted at the FEMAT Field Hospital, and 185 admitted at CWM Hospital, St Giles, and Makoi.

A total of 270,052 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 312,913 tested since testing began in March 2020.

Based on available data the national 7-day daily test average is 3172 tests per day or 3.6 tests per 1,000 population.

The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 30.9%.

Doctor Fong says community transmission within the Suva-Nausori containment zone is at a very high level.

This means that anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 in Suva-Nausori should assume that they have COVID-19.

Doctor Fong says most people infected with COVID-19 will have mild symptoms like cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, loss of taste or smell, body ache, or headache, and will fully recover at home with no medical intervention necessary.

People who have any of these symptoms and are not within a group that is at higher risk for developing severe COVID-19 will no longer be tested for COVID-19, and should stay at home, strictly self-isolate for 14 days, and continue to monitor your symptoms for severe COVID-19.

If you develop any signs of severe COVID-19, like difficulty breathing or chest pain, please go immediately to CWM Hospital, FEMAT Hospital, Vodafone Arena, and individuals in Nausori with severe symptoms should go to Nausori Health Centre or Wainibokasi Hospital

Call 165 if you are unable to travel to a medical facility.

However, if you or someone you are caring for has mild symptoms but is at high risk of severe COVID – in particular individuals over 50 years, have a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, asthma, are obese, or are pregnant – the MOH needs you to visit one of the screening clinics and get tested.

If you test positive, then they will ensure you are provided immediate care by the health teams.