COVID-19 Alert
People need to remain focused on following COVID safe protocols as the test on that particular day does not confirm that you are immune from the virus.
These were the sentiments shared by the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete while commenting on the two COVID positive cases in the Northern Division.
These two cases were noted to be repatriates from the Central division and were in quarantine at the Malau Quarantine Facility.
Dr Waqainabete said those health professionals who were looking after these patients, had been quarantined at the same facility.
“For the patients who tested positive they are kept at the isolation facility in the area while the individuals who had been in contact with them were placed in the quarantine section of the facility,” he said.
“We are keeping these health professionals in the facility as part of the Ministry’s incubation period where they would be tested for the signs and symptoms of the virus”.
Dr Waqainabete mentioned the need for people to understand their COVID-19 quarantine and isolation processes in place.
“If someone tests negative for the variant on a particular time, it does not mean they will remain negative tomorrow,” he strongly articulated.
Dr Waqainabete spoke highly of the COVID-19 Medical taskforce in the
North as they were able to manage the situation in a very calm and collective way.
“The team in Labasa led by Macuata sub divisional medical officer Dr Tiko Saumalua and Jaoji Vuilbeci are well trained and equipped to handle such situations as they had encountered this during last year’s positive cases in Dreketi and Soasoa in the province,” he said.
Minister Waqainabete said the team in Labasa were adhering to the strict COVID-19 protocols in place as they understood the severity of the Delta variant which was easily transmissible.
“We are trying our best to contain the virus in the facility as we don’t want the virus to spread,” he aded.
It is believed that the patients who tested positive for the virus were military officers from the Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF) that arrived at Malau Jetty in Labasa on June 27.
Commissioner Northern Uraia Rainima said they were monitoring the situation at the moment and then they would decide whether it would be safe for repatriations to continue.
A total of 55 people had arrived as part of the first batch of repatriations where 27 individuals were placed at Labasa College quarantine centre, 19 RFMF officers in Malau, seven people were in house isolation in the Cakaudrove province while two other people were quarantined at the Wasawasa Resort.