USP cancels graduation in light of COVID-19 preventative measures on mass gatherings

USP has cancelled its graduation ceremony this week as a preventative measure to fight COVID-19. Picture: WANSOLWARA FILE

By GERALDINE PANAPASA

The University of the South Pacific has cancelled its upcoming graduation ceremony as a preventative measure to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

USP’s deputy vice-chancellor education Professor Jito Vanualailai said the unprecedented action had been taken to preserve greater health and safety of the public in light of the COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures on mass gatherings.

The cancellation applied to the medals and prizes ceremony scheduled for tomorrow as well as the USP Graduation ceremony scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week.

The University’s Disaster Management Committee (DISMAC) had also drafted a COVID Pandemic Management Plan 2020, which was released to the USP community on March 12, when the WHO declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic.

The plan outlines various response measures of the University based on prevailing conditions at the campuses and outlines the roles of those involved in implementing key response activities.

According to the USP DISMAC team, the University was currently at Level 1 (Green) stage for preparedness in the response plan.

While there have been no official cases of COVID-19 in Fiji so far, the global pandemic has caused 5746 deaths with 153,648 confirmed cases in 146 countries, areas and territories, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) situational report on March 15.

The Fijian Government has also stepped up efforts to tackle COVID-19, with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announcing stringent measures such as a ban on cruise ships berthing in Fiji.

Mr Bainimarama issued a statement yesterday after a cabinet meeting detailing the need for vigilance and diligence on the ground.

“Our travel restrictions on Italy, Iran, South Korea and mainland China remain in full effect, as do the stringent screening measures at our international ports,” Mr Bainimarama said.

From today, Mr Bainimarama said international events would not be allowed in Fiji while local events would be closed to all guests coming in from abroad.

On the regional front, the first coronavirus case in French Polynesia was reported last week, according to a media report by RNZ/Pacific Media Watch. The Solomon Islands introduced new entry restrictions and screening arrangements last month in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

According to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services, as well as the Ministry of Immigration, people who had been to China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Italy, Hong Kong, Thailand, Iran, Taiwan or Macau during the past 14 days would be refused entry into Solomon Islands.

What is COVID-19?

The coronaviruses (CoV), according to the WHO, are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

It is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

“Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.  Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans,” WHO said on its website.

“Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.”

WHO said standard recommendations to prevent infection spread included regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs.

“Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing,” WHO said.

*Geraldine Panapasa is the supervising editor-in-chief of Wansolwara and a teaching assistant with the Journalism Programme at USP.