Fijians are being urged to continue practising or implementing COVID-19 safety measures after 56 new cases were recorded as of the 17th of this month.
The Ministry for Health says of the 56 new cases recorded, 39 were recorded in the Central Division, 15 in the Western Division, and 1 case in the Northern Division.
They say the Ministry is currently focusing on implementing COVID safe measures around those vulnerable to the severe effects of COVID-19.
The Ministry says this includes escalating measures in hospitals, old people’s homes and facilities catering for disabled persons.
They add that they expect to escalate screening protocols and masking for staff, patients and visitors and visitor restrictions will be in place at all hospitals.
The Health Ministry says proper masking, practising safe physical distancing, coughing or sneezing into elbows, proper sanitization of hands and avoidance of mass gatherings should be practised by everyone.
They say while these safety measures may not be mandatory at this stage, the Ministry would like to emphasize that strengthening our ability to live with COVID means that we all need to remain vigilant, maintain community-wide adoption of COVID safe measures where appropriate, and maintain the impetus for immunization.
The Ministry adds this is the only means to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect those in the community who are less able to fend for themselves.
