A 37 year old Fijian female was admitted and isolated at Labasa Hospital.
She had travelled from Narita Japan on 15th February. She has respiratory symptoms and is being tested for influenza at the Fiji CDC and COVID-19 at our WHO reference laboratory in Melbourne, Victoria.
As the symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to many other respiratory illnesses (including colds and influenza) it is expected that with time the Ministry will investigate more persons with relevant travel history and symptoms related to COVID-19.
This should not alarm the public, but be an indication of the high level of alertness and precautionary approach the Ministry is taking in response to this global outbreak.
The Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises that there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Fiji.
What
can you do?
The
Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services wishes to strongly urge the
public to not share rumours and misinformation. Just as we did during the
measles outbreak the Ministry will inform the public as soon as possible once
we have a confirmed case. Use credible sources for information on 2019-nCoV:
Fiji
Ministry of Health and Medical Services website http://www.health.gov.fj/
Fiji
Ministry of Health and Medical Services Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MoHFiji/
WHO
website https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
How
can you prevent yourself from getting COVID-19 and other diseases?
- Frequently clean
hands soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub - When coughing and
sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away
immediately and wash hands - Avoid close contact
with anyone who has fever and cough - Avoid
travel to mainland China
If
you have been to mainland China in the last 14 days and develop symptoms
(fever, cough or difficulty breathing), immediately contact one of the numbers
listed below. If you need to see a doctor please call ahead, using the
following phone numbers, before visiting to reduce the risk of infecting
other patients.
- Central 2219905
- Eastern
2219906 - Western
2219907 - Northern 2219908
The
Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services is monitoring the developing
situation and will provide updates regularly to the public.
