One death and a record 116 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in Fiji.
The Health Ministry said last night a 73-year-old patient at the country's main hospital in the capital Suva is the fifth person to die from the virus.
People at a market in Suva in April as the country prepared for a lockdown (file photo) Photo: AFP
The positive infections take the total number of active cases in isolation to 943.
The ministry said 93 of the new cases were linked to existing clusters: Caubati - 7; Nasinu Police Barracks - 24; Navy - 3; Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) - 14; Waila - 3; Sakoca - 5; Nawajikuma, Nawaka, Nadi - 2; Tramline, Nawaka, Nadi - 8; Muanikoso - 1; Reservoir Rd - 10; Navosai - 1; Nakasi - 1; Tacirua - 2; Grantham Rd - 2 and Vunimono - 10.
Health Secretary James Fong said three other cases had been identified as primary contacts of earlier cases, and the response teams were determining their cluster link.
Dr Fong said 13 cases from the following areas are also under investigation to determine whether they had links to other cases: Mead Road (2), Nasese (1), Princess Rd (1), Vatuwaqa (1), Veisari, Lami (1), Tovata in Makoi (1), Wailoku (1), Koronivia (2), Vanuadina Village, Nausori (1), Naduru, Nausori (1), Nausori Town (1).
"Investigations are also ongoing into three more people who were swabbed at the Valelevu and Raiwaqa screening clinics near the capital Suva.
"There are now also four cases in the Korovou area in Tailevu. Early investigations have revealed that one is a driver that was recruited into the Korovou Covid-19 response team.
"The other three cases are primary contacts of this driver - a relative and other members of the response team.
"Investigations are ongoing into how these cases contracted the virus, and the subdivisional medical team are working to contain this new cluster."
Fong said the person who died had been admitted to the CWM Hospital for almost a month for a severe non-Covid related illness and tested positive for the virus 11 days ago.
"Whilst his prognosis was poor, this death has been classified as a Covid-19 death by the doctors treating him.
"We extend our sincere condolences to the loved ones of the deceased.
"This is the third death during this current outbreak and the fifth Covid-19 death overall for Fiji."
Permanent Secretary of Health, James Fong Photo: Fiji Govt
Quick facts
- 116 new cases
- 93 linked to existing clusters
- Three cases identified as primary contacts of earlier cases
- 13 cases under investigation to determine link to other cases
- 32 cases have recovered
- 943 active cases now in isolation
- 1252 cases recorded during this outbreak that started in April 2021
- 1322 cases in total recorded in Fiji since the first case was reported in March 2020
- There have been 367 recoveries and five deaths due to the coronavirus.
- A total of seven positive patients have died from pre-existing non-Covid related illnesses.
