48 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24hrs with 36 of those cases recorded in the North

48 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Fiji in the last 24 hours ending at 8am yesterday.

Of the 48 cases recorded in the last 24 hours, 36 cases were recorded in the Northern Division; 11 cases were recorded in the Western Division with 5 cases from border quarantine and 1 case recorded in the Central Division.

Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong says cases in the Northern Division were expected once the borders between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu were lifted in November for fully vaccinated travellers after 80% vaccination coverage was achieved.

Doctor Fong adds it was expected that while cases will occur in the community in the Northern Division, the high vaccination coverage would mean that fewer people will develop the severe disease when compared to the outbreaks on Viti Levu.

He says as with the rest of Fiji they are urging everyone in the Northern Division to continue to adhere to COVID-19 safe measures.

Doctor Fong adds they know that those who remain unvaccinated and some people whose immune systems have not been able to develop a good response to the vaccines will still be at higher risk of severe disease.

He further says the international spread of the Omicron variant gives further reason for everyone to adhere to COVID-19 safe measures as well as vaccination.

The Permanent Secretary for Health says in response to the increase in cases in the North the health teams with other government agencies will work tirelessly to institute mitigation measures and prepare our health facilities should there be a rise in severe COVID-19 cases.