Female currently in isolation at Labasa Hospital after travelling from Japan with respiratory symptoms

A 37-year-old female is currently admitted in isolation at the Labasa Hospital after she had travelled from Narita, Japan last Saturday with respiratory symptoms. 

The Health Ministry says she is being tested for influenza at the Fiji Centre of Disease Control and is also tested for the Novel Coronavirus at the World Health Organization reference laboratory in Melbourne, Victoria.

In another case, a 9-year-old boy is admitted in isolation at the CWM Hospital after being suspected of Coronavirus but the Health Ministry says the patient’s symptoms make it unlikely that he has the virus.

The Health Ministry says as a precautionary measure the patient has been admitted, and laboratory tests are being undertaken to determine the cause of his illness.

It says the patient has a recent international travel history, transiting via Singapore en-route to Fiji.

Upon the boy and his family’s arrival in Nadi International Airport on Sunday, the family was screened and cleared as none showed any symptoms of illness.

The Health Ministry says all other members of the family are currently well, however, have been instructed to remain at home until laboratory results are available.

Figure 1. Countries, territories or areas with reported confirmed cases of COVID-19, 19 February 2020

Table 1. Confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 acute respiratory disease reported by provinces, regions and cities in China, 19 February 2020

Table 2. Countries, territories or areas outside China with reported laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths. Data as of 19 February 2020 

The Ministry is strongly urging the public not to share rumors and misinformation about the virus.

They say as they did during the measles outbreak, the Ministry will inform the public as soon a case of Coronavirus is confirmed.

The Ministry says currently there are no confirmed cases of  Coronavirus in Fiji.

They say the symptoms of Coronavirus is very similar to many other respiratory illnesses such as colds and influenza and the Ministry is expected to investigate more persons with relevant travel history and symptoms related to  Coronavirus.

They say this should not alarm the public but be an indication of the high level of alertness and precautionary approach the Ministry is taking to this global outbreak.