The Indian Weekender, 13 November 2020

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FIJI
Friday, November 13, 2020 The Indian Weekender
Free of virus for now – Fiji remains
vigilant despite COVID-19 milestone
On November 4, 2020 Fiji marked 200 days without any transmission of
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the community.
The Pacific nation confirmed its first case on March 19, and as of
November 4, 2020, Fiji had recorded a total of 34 cases and two deaths.
Its last instance of transmission in the community was April 18, 2020.
Early investment in testing capacity was crucial in helping the Pacific nation
keep numbers low and prevent the virus’ transmission.
Around the time that the first case was confirmed in mid-March, Fiji’s
molecular laboratory at the Fiji Centre for Disease Control had validated
testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, enabling Fiji to
quickly test specimens, rather than sending them overseas.
This enabled the country to test, trace and isolate, to quickly limit transmission.
The World Health Organization (WHO) supported the Fijian Government to be
ready to respond to the first cases, by placing an epidemiologist in the Ministry
of Health and Medical Services.
Since then, WHO has provided Fiji with priority supplies, including 888,500
surgical masks, 53,400 N95 masks, 29,200 face shields, 2000 protective
goggles, 4000 isolation gowns and 26,750 GeneXpert testing cartridges.
Repatriation flights continue to bring Fijians home, and with them, the threat
of new cases of COVID-19.
The country has therefore put in place measures to quarantine returning
citizens in Government-designated facilities for 14 days, and identify cases at
the border. This has led to sporadic cases being identified in border quarantine,
thanks to an extensive testing regime.
Fiji has opened “Blue Lanes’ to visitors who travel to Fiji via yacht and
pleasure craft. After spending 14 days at sea, these visitors are tested for the
virus before being allowed to enter the country.
“Fiji credits our 200-days of COVID Containment to a fast and early
science-based approach, including the systematic identification and isolation
of people infected with COVID-19, and quarantine of every known contact of
confirmed cases.
“Through it all we have safely repatriated through a rigorous system of
border quarantine.
“Our greatest enemy now is complacency. We must remain vigilant to keep
the virus at bay, while positioning the Fijian economy for a recovery in the new
normal,” said Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
“Organising and managing quarantine for returning nationals is a challenge
for every government. But when it is done properly, it is effective at limiting
the importation of SARS-CoV-2.
“Going 200 days without reporting any locally transmitted cases of
New COVID-19 border
quarantine case in Fiji
Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr
Ifereimi Waqainabete and PS for Health Dr
James Fong
Fiji has a new border quarantine case of COVID-19.
The Ministry of Health says the patient is a 53-yearold
male Fijian citizen who arrived in Nadi on Thursday
5th November 2020, on a repatriation flight from New
Zealand.
His initial port of origin was United States of America.
The Ministry says as with all prior border quarantine
cases, this latest patient has been under strict border
quarantine conditions since arrival into Nadi, at which time
he began compulsory 14-day quarantine at a governmentdesignated
quarantine facility under supervision from the
Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Health Ministry.
The Ministry says the man has not displayed any
symptoms since his arrival in Fiji.
The entry test was conducted on day 2 of quarantine as
part of the standard border process. Fiji has now had 35
COVID-19 cases overall, and this new case is Fiji’s only
active COVID case.
The 53-year-old man remains in stable condition, and
COVID-19 is a huge achievement.” said Dr Takeshi Kasai, WHO Regional
director for the Western Pacific.
At the same time, he cautioned that “while the virus is circulating globally,
every country must remain vigilant and be ready to respond accordingly – in
ways that are targeted and proportionate to the situation it faces.
“Now is the time for Fiji – like other COVID-contained countries – to
prepare for the eventual re-introduction of COVID-19.”
Fiji plays an important regional role as medical supplies are warehoused
in Fiji and it is a hub for Pacific Humanitarian Pathway flights, which are
part of the global COVID-19 supply chain system, to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga,
Tuvalu and other neighbours. New Caledonia has also managed to avoid local
transmission for over 200 days, with 27 cases and no deaths.
Some Pacific countries and areas have not reported a single case to date.
They are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Kiribati, the Federated States
of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga,
Tuvalu and Vanuatu. However, others including Guam, Papua New Guinea
and French Polynesia are currently experiencing outbreaks.
WHO is supporting Fiji and other Pacific countries and areas through a
COVID-19 Pacifi c Joint Incident Management Team (JIMT), through which
the organisation co-ordinates partners to bring together resources and improve
readiness to delay the spread of the virus and mitigate the negative health and
socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19.
has been transferred to the isolation ward at the Lautoka
Hospital as per standard protocol for confirmed cases.
The frontline border and quarantine staff who were
directly involved with this patient will all be monitored
and tested as necessary.
The Ministry also states that this border quarantine case
continues to pose zero risk to the health and wellbeing of
the Fijian public.
Prime Minister, Voreqe
Bainimarama says today they
are honouring the service and
sacrifice of those people who have
given their lives in combat but we
should also remember that we fight
many kinds of battles.
While speaking at the
Remembrance Day at CWM
Hospital’s peace garden,
Bainimarama says the CWM
Hospital was built to remember the
123 Fijian and British soldiers who
left our shores with their arms more
than a century ago to fight in the
great war and did not return.
Bainimarama says their names are
on the plaque in the peace garden
which stands as a fitting memorial to
those soldiers because it is dedicated
to healing.
He says they could never bring
those soldiers back but they can
dedicate to saving lives, to curing
sickness and keeping people healthy
Girmit
lineage
hailed
GIRMIT lineage in Fiji has
made tremendous success in
crucial aspects of our society,
says Swami Vivekananda Cultural
Centre (SVCC) director Santosh
Mishra.
“The sons and daughters of the
girmitiya have proven that you are no
less than anyone in the world,” he said
during the annual Diwali celebrations
that was jointly organised by the
Fiji Girmit Council and the Swami
Vivekananda Cultural Centre at the
Girmit Centre in Lautoka.
Mr Mishra said the girmit lineage
in Fiji had come a long way in every
aspect, especially in politics and
education.
“Your girmitiya forefathers have
paved a better future for you through
their hard work as indentured
labourers, toiling for countless hours
in the sugarcane fields.”
He urged the many young people
during the celebrations to follow in
the footsteps of the successful Fijians
of Indian descent in order to mould
their lives.
“The current generations can
achieve everything if only they take
heed of the advice of our elders,”
said Mr Mishra.
Today we are fighting many
kinds of battles – Bainimarama
in their name.
The Prime Minister says the CWM
Hospital opened to public in 1923
with 108 beds and 27 staff.
He says today there are over 500
beds and around 2,000 staff.
Fijians urged to abide by the designated time
Fijians will be allowed to play
with fireworks until 10pm on
Sunday – the actual day of Diwali
religious celebrations.
FBC News can confirm that fireworks will
only be allowed between 5pm and 10pm on the
day, while authorities have allowed an extra
two hours on Monday which is the designated
public holiday.
Manager for Mines Division at the Mineral
Resources Department Raymond Mohammed
says although people can light fireworks
until midnight they still need to follow the
curfew hours.
“The only reminder to the individuals that
are going to use fireworks is to use fireworks
within the premises of your dwelling and
residence from 5pm to 12 pm should be within
the confines of the perimeters of your residence
so that you are not breaking the curfew
in place.”
Mohammed says the approved extended
hours from 5pm to 12 midnight apply only on
the 16th of this month.
He adds strict action will be taken against
those who do not adhere to the designated
times for lighting fireworks.
“Basically in the fireworks regulations if you
do not adhere to the approved fireworks usage
hours you will be held liable to a fine of not
more than $400 or imprisonment not less than
6 months.”
The Ministry of Lands and Mineral
Resources has called on Fijians to celebrate
responsibly and to keep in mind that Fiji is still
observing COVID-19 related restrictions.