Dr Fong says the situation in Kadavu remains a major concern

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says the situation in Kadavu Island remains a major concern.

There are 46 confirmed COVID cases in Kadavu so far and 1 COVID-19 death.

He says the clinical scoping team in Kadavu have begun to put together a clinical response plan that will help to efficiently escalate their response to the expected wave of severe disease and deaths in Kadavu however they do anticipate this to be a challenging exercise.

Doctor Fong says the public health team is continuing with screening and isolation protocols.

A key part of the response will be to identify persons vulnerable to severe COVID and to pre-emptively engage them in a care plan that allows early identification of danger symptoms and signs and access to clinical care in a timely manner.

Another important part of the response to mitigate severe disease will be community wide engagement to establish specific plans that help maintain oversight over vulnerable persons, and facilitate their timely transfer to a health care facility when required.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services reiterates its call for maritime islanders not to engage in unauthorized travel to and from Viti Levu.

Doctor Fong says people with severe COVID-19 are still dying at home, or are coming to a medical facility in the late stages of severe illness.

Severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency, and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment reduces your chance of recovering from the disease.

You are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 if you are over the age of 50 or have a non-communicable disease or chronic disease like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease or if you are obese or pregnant.

If you are at high risk of severe disease and have any symptoms of COVID-19 such as a cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat, body ache, headache, loss of taste/smell - please go to your nearest screening clinic to be checked and tested by our medical teams.

Severe symptoms of COVID-19 include difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, severe headache for a few days, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, pale, gray, or blue-coloured skin, lips or nail beds.

In Suva-Nausori there are health facilities specifically designated to receive people with symptoms of severe COVID-19.

If you or a loved one live in Suva-Nausori and have any of these severe symptoms please go immediately to CWM Hospital, FEMAT Hospital or Vodafone Arena and individuals in Nausori with severe symptoms should go to Nausori Health Centre or Wainibokasi Hospital.

In the Western Division, please go to your nearest healthcare facility if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.

Call 165 if you are unable to travel to a medical facility.

The public in the North are being reminded that with one active case identified in Nabouwalu, it is important that people throughout Vanua Levu listen to advice and continue to practice COVID-19 safety measures.

The public is requested to practice COVID-19 safety measures of wearing a mask when leaving your home, wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitiser, practice safe physical distancing of 2 metres, ensure that the careFIJI app is downloaded on your phone and enabled and please get vaccinated.