Health teams will no longer carry out contact tracing following the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Western Division

With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Western Division, the health teams will no longer carry out contact tracing.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says the health response teams in the Western Division will now be redirected to the identification and close monitoring of people with COVID-19 symptoms who are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19.

He says members of the public who return positive COVID-19 test results will be provided advice and resources to aid their self-isolation at home.

COVID-19 positive cases are encouraged to take responsibility and share information and advice with their known primary contacts.

Doctor Fong says clearance testing will no longer be required for primary contacts in the Western Division.

Primary contacts are required to self-isolate at home for 14-days from the day the known COVID-19 case they had close contact with, tested positive or 14 days from the day of the last contact with a known COVID-19 case.

He says workers requiring official leave from work can attend the nearest screening clinic or Health Care Facility to be checked and obtain a medical certificate for 14 days of self-isolation at home.

Residents for the whole of the Western Division from the Nadroga medical subdivision to the Ra medical subdivision are requested to note that the Ministry of Health and Medical Services will, in the coming days, be varying its public advisories and guidelines to reflect the evolving COVID-19 situation

Individuals experiencing COVID-19 symptoms: cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, fatigue/extreme tiredness, headache, aches and pains, sore throat, fever, diarrhoea, red eyes (conjunctivitis), loss of taste or smell, and a rash on the skin should visit the nearest screening clinic for testing.

Pregnant women who test positive will also be provided immediate advice and care by the health teams at the screening facility.

Families and caregivers of the vulnerable including the elderly, are urged to monitor the health of their loved ones.

If they develop COVID-19 symptoms, please take them to the nearest screening clinic.

If an individual has a disability or is otherwise physically unable to leave their home and attend a screening clinic, in these exceptional circumstances, individuals can call 158 and request a home swabbing service.

The public is advised to please take responsibility to stop community transmission by continuing to practice the following: wear a mask, wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitiser, practice safe physical distancing of 2 metres apart, cover your cough and sneeze, wipe frequently touched surfaces and objects with disinfectant.

Get vaccinated and encourage your family members to vaccinate too.

Stay in your bubble and avoid close contact with people who do not live with you.

Businesses are also asked to take responsibility for the decontamination of their premises.

Doctor Fong says all major health facilities will continue to remain fully functional in all subdivisions in the West, providing emergency services, admissions, and inpatient care for COVID and non-COVID diseases.

Individuals who return positive test results for COVID-19 and are immediately asked to self-isolate will have food ration requests facilitated by the sub-divisional health teams in your area.