“If everybody that needs to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 get the two doses, we will see the case numbers drop by 31st October, 2021.”
Minister for Health, Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete stated this in parliament this morning and also revealed there are now discussions about utilizing the Pfizer vaccine for our children and the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Voreqe Bainimarama is working with his team in this area.
Speaking on COVID-19 cases and fatalities, Dr. Waqainabete says they are now getting about 500 to 600 cases per day and 8 to 10 deaths per day.
The Minister for Health says they are also seeing the death rate dropping between Lami and Nausori but has risen outside this corridor within Tailevu and Naitasiri.
He says they have teams now stationed in Korovou, Vunidawa and Navua.
Dr. Waqainabete adds the cases and deaths have also risen in the Western Division.
When questioned by SODELPA MP, Peceli Vosanibola on whether we may have COVID-19 healthy carriers in the community, Dr. Waqainabete says they can have COVID-19 patients that can be asymptomatic where they will show no symptoms and they can be the carriers.
He says they also know that up to 70% of fully vaccinated people may not be able to transmit the virus and 30% either can have some symptoms or may be asymptomatic which is why the policy on being fully vaccinated is so important.
