Fiji back on alert after soldier contracts COVID19
Fiji is on high alert and more than 300 people are taken into quarantine following confirmation that a soldier at the government’s quarantine system contracted COVID19 from Fijians returning from India.
Suva (April 18) – Fiji is on high alert and more than 300 people are taken into quarantine following confirmation that a soldier at the government’s quarantine system contracted COVID19 from Fijians returning from India.
Announcing the situation earlier today, Permanent Secretary for Health Dr. James Fong and Fiji Centre for Disease Control head Dr. Aalisha SahuKhan said the new case was detected within its quarantine protocols and reminded the public to rely on government information and credible sources.
The soldier had been manning a government quarantine facility in a Nadi hotel on Saturday April 17 after first having tested negative on April 10.
“We suspect he contracted the virus from two Fijian citizens, who returned to India on the 10th of April. They both tested positive for the virus. And we’re transported to the isolation ward of the hospital on Friday the 16th. “- Dr James Fong, PS-Health.
Overnight Saturday, everyone who worked at the hotel (1st Generation Contact) the soldier is based at, along with the people these workers live with (2nd Generation Contact) were taken in for 14 days quarantine. All were tested and the majority are negative. 13 test samples are still to clear. Government has already assembled (assembling) 3rd Generation Contact list; people who were in contact with 1stGen’s household.
The soldier was tested negative at first and upon second testing despite not showing any symptoms, was positive.
“The soldier was staying on site at the quarantine facility, as is the protocol. He is reported to not have left the site at any time.” – Dr James Fong.
So far this is still considered a ‘border case’ unless and until someone from 1stGen or 2Gen is positive then we can considert what COVID-19 is back in the community in Fiji. Following confirmation of community transmission then COVID containment measures may escalate.
Until then, there are no other measures but MOH PS Dr James Fong encouraged households to lock themselves down in response to a journalists question.
Until community transmission is confirmed, health authorities encouraged the public to practice caution, avoid unnecessary travel and large gatherings as per Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama’s message earlier today.
