Permanent Secretary for Health, Doctor James Fong says due to the increasing COVID-19 cases in the Suva-Nausori containment zone, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises that home-based screening and swabbing services in Suva-Nausori will no longer be provided until further notice, except in exceptional circumstances.
Doctor Fong says the exceptional circumstances include if an individual has a disability or is otherwise physically unable to leave their home and attend a clinic, and these people should call 158.
He says their response teams in Suva-Nausori will now be redirected to the identification and close monitoring of people with COVID-19 who are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19.
He also says daily case numbers are expected to continue to increase, along with an increase in people with COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation, and sadly, more deaths.
Doctor Fong says people in Suva-Nausori should visit their nearest screening clinic for testing if they have COVID-19 symptoms (cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, fatigue, headache, aches and pains, sore throat, fever, diarrhoea, red eyes, loss of taste or smell); or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
He says any disruptions to screening clinic services, for instance for decontamination, will be communicated to the public.
Doctor Fong says a person in Suva-Nausori with symptoms, or who has been in close contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19, should immediately isolate from others, including other members of your household if possible.
He says where possible, visit the nearest screening clinic for a COVID-19 swab.
Please wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose and keep a safe physical distance of 2 metres from others.
Please avoid using public transport to travel to the screening clinic.
Doctor Fong says if you cannot avoid using public transport, please ensure to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose at all times and maintain physical distance from others.
In other parts of Fiji, persons with COVID-19 symptoms, or who are contacts of cases, should call 158 to be advised by the respective medical teams in those areas.
He says the FEMAT Field Hospital has begun the transition into a COVID-19 dedicated hospital and they have set up an emergency number 165 for people with severe COVID-19 symptoms to contact if they cannot get to a hospital themselves.
Doctor Fong says sadly they continue to see people with severe COVID-19 dying at home or coming to a medical facility in the late stages of severe illness and dying within a day or two.
He says severe COVID-19 is a medical emergency and a delay in receiving appropriate medical treatment may result in a higher risk of death.
The severe symptoms of COVID-19 include difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, severe headache for a few days, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake; and pale, gray, or blue-coloured skin, lips or nail beds.
If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms please go immediately to your nearest medical facility or call 165 if unable to get to a medical facility.
