Lautoka

Fiji lockdown in Nadi and Lautoka after Covid-19 positive test

The 53-year old woman is a first-generation contact identified through contact tracing related to the border quarantine case announced yesterday.

The woman lives in Nadi, with a travel history in Nadi and Lautoka.

All members of her household have already been entered into quarantine.

The Ministry of Health is awaiting the results of their Covid-19 tests.

To aid rapid contact tracing and reduce the likelihood of further transmission, the Government announced a lockdown of the Greater Nadi and Lautoka Area, starting from 4am this morning.

Lockdown of Fiji's Lautoka extended to Tuesday

It was imposed after the country's first cases of Covid-19 were detected in Fiji's second-largest city.

Health minister Ifereimi Waqainabete told a news conference on Wednesday the extension is necessary to prevent any further outbreak .

He said authorities will conduct intensive testing that will involve house visits and mobile testing stations.

"We know these restrictions have not been easy for many within the Lautoka confined area. But take comfort in knowing that these tough decisions we're making could very well spare us enormous future suffering," he said.

Fiji Govt says Lautoka still locked down but not Suva

The country's second biggest city of Lautoka - where the first case was reported - has been in lockdown since 20 March.

However Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said the risk of transmission in the latest Suva case was low and tracing teams were tracking down everyone who was in contact with the patient.

He said the man adhered to all the health advice offered and took the necessary precautions to isolate himself at home upon his arrival from abroad.

Mr Bainimarama took the opportunity to underline the importance of isolation.