Community isolation an option - Dr Tudravu

Community isolation will be considered by the Health Ministry if there is no more space available in hospitals during an outbreak of COVID-19 in Fiji.

Speaking at a retreat for Senior Pastors of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, Fiji's Chief Medical Adviser Jemesa Tudravu says it has been seen in countries where there have been outbreaks that hospitals have been unable to cater for the number of people infected.

He says this means that there will be people that will be sent back home to self-isolate because hospitals will only take in those with serious cases.

Doctor Tudravu says they are preparing a checklist that will advise people who will be cared for at home on what steps they will have to do.

He says this is being prepared in all languages.

He says community isolation will happen if hospitals are full and then those that are infected come from villagers across the country.

Doctor Tudravu says community isolation will protect the elderly who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.