Health Ministry data analyzed shows 82 people had 3,444 contacts among them

The Health Ministry has analyzed data this week from 82 people and found that they had 3,444 contacts among them.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says this is why they ask people to go out only for essential purposes, to use the careFIJI app, to remember their movements and contacts and to cooperate fully with the contact tracers for COVID-19.

He says it is very important for everyone to understand how easily this virus is transmitted.

Doctor Fong says misunderstanding, complacency and wishful thinking are some of our greatest obstacles in combating this virus.

First, people must remember that they can have the virus and transmit the virus to others even if they show no symptoms.

Second, the contact tracing makes clear that the average person can come into contact with dozens of other people in the course of a day.

Doctor Fong says put those two factors together and you have a formula for significant spread.

He says please constantly keep in your minds that the virus is still among us and we must always exercise extreme care.

Meanwhile, a new shipment of vaccines has arrived in the country.

Doctor Fong says there were no vaccinations administered on Sunday, but the vaccination programme will continue this week in the Lami-Nausori and Nadi-Lautoka corridors.