Air travel halt as COVID-19 cases reach 4

Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama delivered his statement on COVID-19 cases in Fiji yesterday. Picture: Fijian Government FB page

By GERALDINE PANAPASA

There will be no more scheduled passenger Fiji Airways travel into or out of Fiji until further notice, says Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama as the country recorded its fourth coronavirus case yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference in Suva yesterday afternoon, Mr Bainimarama confirmed that the fourth case of COVID-19 in Fiji was a patient who was not related to the first three cases.

It is understood the fourth person is a 28-year-old Fijian man who arrived into the country on Saturday from Australia.

“It appears this gentleman did everything right. He went from the airport straight to his flat in Suva, where he immediately self-quarantined. That Sunday night, while he was still self-quarantined, he developed mild symptoms –– a sore throat, and then a cough,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“Recognising the warning signs of COVID-19, he contacted the Ministry of Health via the dedicated hotline, and a rapid response team was immediately dispatched to his home, where he was examined and tested. The patient then remained in self-quarantine until the test for COVID-19 returned positive.

“After the test was confirmed, an ambulance transported the patient securely and hygienically to our Central Division isolation ward at Navua Hospital. Separate ambulances then transported all members of his household to the Navua Hospital isolation ward, even though their contact with this patient was limited and they currently display no symptoms. They all remain isolated at the hospital, where they pose zero risk to the public.”

He said the risk of transmission from this case was low but their contact tracing teams were currently identifying every single person in Fiji who may have had direct contact with the patient including the taxidriver who drove him from Nadi International Airport to Suva.

The PM said there were 26 other people on the same flight –– flight FJ 1916 –– from Sydney to Nadi on Saturday, March 21.

Ministry of Health and Medical Services head of health protection, Dr Aalisha Sahukhan, said the fourth case, like the first one, was an imported case and travel-related.

She urged travelers to listen to the advice from the ministry and Government.

“Self-quarantine for 14 days. If you get a fever, cough or sore throat, please isolate at home and call the Ministry of Health and Medical Services,” she said.

“(Practise) physical distancing, avoid unnecessary travel, go to work and come home, don’t socialize. It is a big departure from our normal lives but it is necessary.”

Dr Sahukhan said they were doing all they could to avoid an outbreak of the virus in Fiji.