76.7% of the target population have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine and 17.7% are now fully vaccinated

449,934 adults in Fiji have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 103,742 have received their second doses.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says this means that 76.7% of the target population have received at least one dose and 17.7% are now fully vaccinated nationwide.

Meanwhile Doctor Fong says the 7-day average of new cases per day is 827 cases per day or 934 cases per million population per day.

He says the daily case numbers remain high, and daily test positivity remains high, indicating ongoing widespread community transmission in the Suva-Nausori containment zone.

Doctor Fong says the cases are also increasing in the Western Division.

The Northern and Eastern Divisions currently have no active cases.

The national 7-day daily test average is 3401 tests per day or 3.8 tests per 1,000 population.

The national 7-day average daily test positivity is 26.3%.

For people with COVID-19 symptoms in Suva-Nausori, 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.

He 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.