All COVID-19 positive cases in the North will require activation of containment protocols – Dr Fong

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says all COVID-19 positive cases in the North will require activation of containment protocols after claims that some people who went from Suva to a funeral outside the Savusavu area had COVID.

We are currently trying to get further information.

Doctor Fong’s latest advisory has also stated that their current vaccine coverage data indicates a need for the Ministry to provide additional resources to Nabouwalu Hospital to prepare for the possible escalation of COVID 19 cases and adverse events.

He says the second dose vaccination coverage for the Bua Subdivision remains a concern based on the Ministry’s vaccination coverage data.

Doctor Fong says this will have to be a key strategy in remodelling the health service provision to ensure community surveillance through test, trace and track protocols are being escalated to help them identify and contain any outbreak early; registration and line listing of vulnerable persons especially in poorly vaccinated areas are done; preparations for the monitoring of positive cases and vulnerable persons to ensure better access to appropriate care plans has been made and clinical care protocols for the severe disease has been reviewed and strengthened.

He says the Whole-of-Government Community Engagement initiative will be escalated in the North with particular attention made to the Bua Subdivision and this will include a reduction of the dose interval to 6 weeks.