Don’t create unnecessary panic - Dr. Waqainabete

Isolation and containment is absolutely critical to ensure that we prevent the spread of COVID-19, and people should stop creating unnecessary fear and panic.

Health Minister, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete says there is only one case of COVID-19 in Lautoka and there are no other cases in Fiji. All other suspected cases have been tested and have returned negative.

The confirmed COVID-19 patient is a 27-year-old flight attendant of Fiji Airways from Lautoka who had a recent travel history to the USA and New Zealand.

Doctor Waqainabete says contact tracing has been done and there are no confirmed cases in Nausori and people should stop following all the misinformation on social media.

To those who are complaining about the measures taken to isolate and contain the case in Lautoka, the Health Minister says isolation and containment is the key to deal with COVID-19 and this is why swift action has been taken in Lautoka.

He says all steps are being taken to protect the people of Fiji and those in the decision making process in the Health Ministry and the government as a whole will be the last people to hide information that needs to be shared.

Doctor Waqainabete also says that there should be no fear mongering and people should not create panic. He also says that this is the time to show true leadership and all decisions being made are for the benefit of the people of Fiji.

The Health Minister also says that he has started #TogetherWeCan and wants everyone to get together and ensure that we fight COVID-19 and overcome the challenges that we are faced with and also be united as a nation.