7-day average of new COVID cases per day is a worrying 1207 cases per million population per day

The 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases per day is a worrying 1068 cases per day or 1207 cases per million population per day.

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

A total of 239,996 samples have been tested since this outbreak started in April 2021, with 282,857 tested since testing began in March 2020.

The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 29.7%.

Doctor Fong also says people in the Suva-Nausori area who are symptomatic will no longer be tested for COVID-19, and should stay at home and strictly self-isolate for 14 days.

He says most people infected with COVID-19 will have only mild symptoms like cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, loss of taste or smell, body ache, headache, and can fully recover at home.

For lower-risk individuals with COVID symptoms, the Ministry of Health asks you to please stay at home for 14 days, isolate yourself from other family members, 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 one of the dedicated health facilities at 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.

If you or someone you are caring for 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 – they need you to get in touch right away and visit one of the screening clinics.

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

Doctor Fong says for symptomatic workers who need official leave from work, they are recommended to attend the nearest screening clinic to be checked and to obtain a medical certificate for the 14 days home isolation.

Symptomatic workers can also obtain a medical certificate for the 14 days self-isolation at home from participating General Practitioners.