COVID-19

Protocol breach blamed for second COVID case

April 19, 2021 4:55 pm

[File Photo]

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says breach in protocol in relation to the 53-year-old woman now testing positive of COVID-19 should not have happened.

The woman who was working as a maid in a border quarantine facility developed symptoms last Thursday, but continued working and failed to notify authorities.

The woman who tested positive for COVID-19 this morning has a highly transmissible case.

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“Our investigation has revealed that she had an interaction with the soldier when he showed up early to his room as it was being cleaned. Protocol dictates that overlap should not have happened that is why the woman was not tested before re-entering the public. We have to wait and see what further is revealed in the investigation.”

Bainimarama says the woman who is a day time worker traveled between Nadi and Lautoka and also attended a funeral in Tavakubu in Lautoka on Friday and Saturday.

“Perhaps most worryingly she attended a funeral in Tavakubu, Lautoka on Friday and Saturday traveling alongside other passengers by minivan. Her movement using public transport and her attendance in close proximity alongside many other Fijians at the two-day funeral makes further transmissions in the community highly likely.”

The Prime Minister says Fiji is faced with danger and the breach in the protocol should not have been repeated.

He says to limit the risk of mass transmission they have established containment areas in Nadi and Lautoka containment from Qeleloa, Vakabuli, and the Waiwai crossing bearing towards Ba.

Bainimarama says new stringent health protection measures have come into effect.

He says the Ministry of Health and Medical Services personnel and disciplined forces have rapidly established screening points at this entry point.