SUVA, Apr 20 (NNN-PINA) – Fiji reported its 18th confirmed case of COVID-19, after a 51-year-old woman tested positive for the virus today.
Fijian Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, said that, the woman, who is from Ba, one of the provinces in the western side of Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, arrived in Fiji from the United States on Mar 22.
She was cleared after a 14-day self quarantine on Apr 4, but later developed signs of COVID-19 and was subsequently tested again. Contact tracing continued for her since she had been in Fiji for a month.
The 18th patient was a low risk transmitter who lived with three others and they had all tested negative but were under quarantine.
Three patients, including a 27-year-old Fiji Airways flight attendant, tested negative already for COVID-19, but were still under isolation. The remaining patients were in a stable condition.
The prime minister said, it was good news there were no deaths in the country so far, and he hoped good hygiene practices would continue among Fijians.
Bainimarama said, the virus was out there and Fijians needed to be careful at all times, even though not socialising with family and friends was hard.
Nightclubs, gyms, cinemas and swimming pools stay closed. Public gatherings are not permitted. Physical distancing of two metres should be maintained at all times, he said, adding that, schools in the island nation will not open until June 15.
Fiji reported its first confirmed case of the virus on Mar 19. The Fiji Airways flight attendant had overseas travel history to the United States and New Zealand.
