Cases of Covid-19 are being reported across the country amid 423 new infections of the Delta variant.
Malolo Island view from the top of a coconut tree. Photo: Malolo Island Resort
The government also confirmed nine more deaths, taking the toll to 462.
Three of the latest cases were reported in the northern town of Labasa while six more people - on the remote west-coast holiday island of Malolo - have also tested positive for Covid.
Health Secretary Dr James Fong said the new cases showed the virus had reached the major divisions of the country.
Of the 423 new cases, 328 were from the West, 92 in the Central Division and there in the North.
Dr Fong said the Labasa patients were all from the Namara Tiri Settlement.
"The index case is a freight vehicle driver works at the Nabouwalu Wharf and was tested as part of the routine surveillance program for those working within the wharf operations.
"He tested positive on 24 August and subsequently two household contacts have returned positive. His previous negative swabs on 14 July and 3 August and 12 August were negative, suggesting recent exposure and infection."
Labasa Police have closed a part of the Namara informal settlement since Wednesday, Dr Fong said.
Police said the decision to restrict movement for this area would be decided by the Ministry of Health.
People lining up to get their Covid-19 vaccinations in Fiji. Photo: Fiji govt
An email correspondence, sent to stakeholders who make up the north covid taskforce, had notified them of a positive case in Labasa and urged them to be vigilant.
Dr Fong said six more individuals had tested positive on Malolo Island with a total now of 23 active cases there.
He said a medical team from Lautoka had travelled to Malolo Island to assist the onsite medical team with the necessary response including isolation of cases, contact tracing and quarantine of contacts.
Dr Fong said the latest nine deaths were reported from 19-25 August, and included a 94-year-old elderly woman of Somosomo Village, on Naviti Island, in the Yasawas.
He said they were investigating how this person became infected.
"The ministry's response team in the West is conducting contact tracing and testing of contacts to identify more cases on the island. More information will be provided to the public as investigations progress."
Of the nine deaths, one was reported in the Central Division and the rest in the West.
Dr Fong also noted 230 new recoveries reported since Wednesday.
"This means there are now 19,280 active cases - 9568 in the Central Division, 9573 in the West, 4 in the North (Nabouwalu and Macuata) and 135 active cases in the Eastern Division (Kadavu).
"There have been 45,098 cases recorded in Fiji during the outbreak that started in April 2021; and a total of 45,168 cases recorded since the first case was reported in March 2020, with 25,138 recoveries."
Photo: Supplied/ Google Maps
Tracking the vaccine's effect
Since the vaccination rollout, the Ministry has recorded 56 events relating to adverse effects after immunisation, said Dr Fong.
He said their reports indicated that of these cases, 51 were non-serious adverse events and included the usual side-effects associated with vaccination.
Dr Fong reassured the public that they had investigated five cases of serious adverse incidents after vaccination.
He said the results indicated they were not directly linked to vaccination.
"We are tracking adverse events after immunisation," he said. "We have extensively investigated five cases of serious adverse incidents after immunisation.
"Based on investigations carried out through our internal medicine clinical services network together with our clinical colleagues in Australia and WHO, we are confident that these cases do not fit into the clinical picture of severe side effects of vaccines."
James Fong. Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt
Travel suspension
Meanwhile, a travel suspension has been enforced for Koro Island in the east of the country.
The Maritime Safety Authority issued the advisory yesterday to all ship masters, boat owners, port management companies and operators, marinas and yacht clubs, with the suspension effective from 4pm on Thursday.
No reason was stated in the marine notice, signed by the authority's officer-in-charge Sesoni Komaisoso.
He said the travel suspension would be in place for an indefinite period or until otherwise advised.
"All ships including small crafts and yachts scheduled to travel to the island of Koro in the Lomaiviti Group are to postpone all planned trips during this period," Komaisoso said.
"The Police and Navy will be carrying out surveillance to ensure adherence to this notice."
