Four people in Fiji are in isolation and are being monitored for Coronavirus

Four people in Fiji are being monitored for Coronavirus which is now known as COVID-19 and are in strict isolation as the Ministry of Health awaits test results.

There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Fiji.

All four are in stable condition.

A 15-month old girl developed respiratory symptoms in Suva after arriving in Fiji from the United States of America yesterday.

A 37-year-old Fijian woman who returned from Italy was flagged with respiratory symptoms during a health screening at Nadi Airport yesterday.

A three-year-old Fijian boy and his 26-year-old mother developed respiratory symptoms yesterday after returning from Bali and Singapore.

 Contact tracing has commenced for all four patients.

The Ministry of Health says as the symptoms of coronavirus are very similar to many other respiratory illnesses, it is expected that with time the Ministry will investigate more persons with relevant travel history and symptoms related to coronavirus.

The Ministry is urging the public to not share rumours and misinformation.  

72 countries outside China have reported cases of coronavirus with 30 countries reported by the World Health Organisation as having local transmission.

There are now over 90,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus globally with over 80,000 cases alone in China. Over 3,000 people have died worldwide and most deaths have been recorded in China.

How can you prevent yourself from getting coronavirus and other diseases?

 •Frequently clean hands soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub

•Avoid touching your face – especially your mouth, nose and eyes

•When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – throw tissue away immediately and wash hands

•Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough – stay at least 1 metre away

•Avoid travel to mainland China, Iran, Italy and South Korea