7-day average of new COVID-19 cases per day is a worrying 1116 cases per million population per day

The 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases per day is a worrying 988 cases per day or 1116 cases per million population per day.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says with the high numbers of new daily cases, they are also seeing increasing cases of severe disease and deaths.

A total of 229,237 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 272,098 tested since testing began in March 2020.

The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 26 percent and continues on an upward trend.

393,095 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the vaccine and 78,624 have received their second doses.

This means that 67 percent of the target population have received at least one dose and 13.4 percent are fully vaccinated nationwide.

Doctor Fong says COVID-19 infections are widespread across the Suva-Nausori containment zone.

He says this means that if you develop any of the symptoms of COVID-19 you should assume you have COVID-19 and isolate yourself at home.

Doctor Fong says do not wait for a positive test result to self isolate.

Isolating yourself will help to stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.

The symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, fatigue/extreme tiredness, loss of taste or smell, headache, aches and pains, sore throat, fever, diarrhoea, red eyes, skin rash.

If you have any of these symptoms please immediately isolate from others including other members of your household.

Stay at home and, as much as possible, maintain a physical distance of 2 metres between yourself and other members of your household.

Doctor Fong says where possible, visit the nearest screening clinic for a COVID-19 swab and advice.

Ensure to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose and keep a safe physical distance of 2 metres from others.

Please avoid using public transport to travel to the screening clinic.

He says if you cannot avoid using public transport, please ensure to wear a well fitting mask that covers your mouth and nose at all times and maintain at least 2 metres physical distance from others.

Doctor Fong says severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency, and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment reduces your chance of recovering from the disease.

Severe symptoms include difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, severe headache for a few days, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, pale, gray, or blue-coloured skin, lips or nail beds.

He says if you or a loved one live in the Suva-Nausori Containment Zone and have any of these severe symptoms please go immediately to CWM Hospital, FEMAT Hospital, Vodafone Arena, 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.