One severe case of COVID-19 but the patient is in a stable condition – Dr Fong

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong confirms that there is one severe case of COVID-19 but the patient is in a stable condition.

There are currently 604 active cases in isolation.

The breakdown of how many people in health quarantine facilities or home isolation has not been revealed as yet.

There have been 775 cases during the current outbreak that started in April 2021.

Fiji has recorded a total of 845 cases since the first case was reported in March 2020.

We have had 234 recoveries and 4 deaths due to COVID-19.

Doctor Fong also says they will continue to contact trace and screen people for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, he says given the escalating number of new COVID-19 cases in the Lami-Nausori Containment Zone, the Health Ministry is preparing to shift into a mitigation phase that ensures that healthcare resources are focused on caring for patients who develop severe illness as a result of the virus.

Doctor Fong says this is to ensure that the patients can receive proper treatment and achieve the best possible outcome from the care.

He also says due to the high number of COVID-19 cases and constraints on quarantine capacity, new positive cases are being entered into home isolation, where feasible.

Doctor Fong says specific guidance has been provided for these individuals to ensure they do not have contact with other members of their households.

He says it is vital, particularly in multi-generational households, that the Ministry’s home isolation protocols are strictly followed.

Doctor Fong says while they will be regularly checking up on these individuals, adherence to the home isolation protocols within the household is critical at all times.