Two new border quarantine cases of COVID-19

Two new border quarantine cases of COVID-19 have been announced.

Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says the two are Fijian citizens who arrived at Nadi Airport on flight NZ952 from Auckland on Thursday 19th November.

Both are females, aged 75 and 57 years, who reside in Auckland, New Zealand.

Doctor Fong says it is likely that these two individuals contracted the virus on the flight from Auckland, as they were both seated near a person who tested positive on day 2 of border quarantine.

They had both tested negative in Auckland, 72 hours before boarding the flight to Nadi, then tested negative again during day 2 testing in our border quarantine.

Doctor Fong says their positive test results have come on day 12 of border quarantine. During this festive time, the Ministry of Health expects to continue to get more border quarantine cases.

The Permanent Secretary also says the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the security forces has made pre-emptive changes to mitigate for any risk at our borders during the cyclone season.

They still encourage the public to observe the basic COVID safe measures of hand washing, cough etiquette and physical distancing during this season.

Doctor Fong says hands, face and space remains the mantra of the season.