The death of the first locally transmitted COVID-19 patient reminds us all of the real, grave impact this virus can have – Dr Ali

Acting Representative of WHO in the South Pacific, Doctor Akeem Ali says the death of the first locally transmitted COVID-19 patient reminds us all of the real, grave impact this virus can have on individuals, families, communities and the country at large.

He says what this means for us is that there is a challenge to continue to provide essential health and other services in the country and they must really address this very serious public health emergency.

Dr. Ali says Fiji is going in the right direction to try and stamp this virus out and stop the spread any further.

He says there are some tough choices Fiji needs to make right now and they stand behind the Ministry of Health, the government and all partners working tirelessly to contain the virus.

Dr. Ali adds that the quickest way out of this is what we do as individuals, as a community, as families and we all need to play our part where the very simple message remains - stay at home, you have to stop the virus from moving with you or anyone else.