The revelation that one more patient has been cleared of COVID-19 is encouraging.
The Office of the Prime Minister confirmed this yesterday, bringing the total number of active COVID-19 cases in Fiji to only six.
“After 190 tests for coronavirus done this week, we’ve recorded zero new positive cases of COVID-19,” the Office of the Prime Minister stated on its official Twitter account yesterday.
Fiji had recorded a total of 18 COVID-19 cases.
The news certainly adds a positive vibe leading into the weekend.
On the global front, again, the World Health Organization had no new countries reporting cases of COVID-19.
Again, we wonder whether this should be seen as a positive sign of the times.
The WHO, however, stated diagnostic laboratory testing is a cornerstone of the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It stated this allows for the detection of cases to inform care and for the isolation of infected individuals to interrupt disease transmission.
Confirmatory testing, it stated, also enabled the disease to be tracked in the community and for clusters of cases to be identified.
The WHO endeavours to ensure that all Member States have timely and accurate testing capacity for COVID-19.
On the home front, we appear to have moved back into a comfortable period of complacency, with some people relaxing the rules.
Understandably, isolation isn’t easy for everyone.
It isn’t something the kids look forward to.
In fact no one wants to be isolated at home, restricted by rules, and not being allowed to move around freely, and to do things we once took for granted.
COVID-19, however, isn’t something that takes a break.
The virus will strike at any time.
Today we take this opportunity to acknowledge all Fijians who are strictly adhering to social distancing rules.
We say thank you for reducing unnecessary travel.
We acknowledge Fijians who are washing their hands often with soap and water, and using hand sanitisers.
We acknowledge Fijians who are coughing or sneezing into their elbow, or into a tissue and disposing these thoughtfully immediately afterwards.
It is unusual for us to not shake hands and hug others.
This is the new norm though.
We acknowledge your consideration for the greater good of the country.
These may be tough measures, but they are important for us all.
Too many people are without jobs.
Too many people have been sent home because their company has been forced to shut down.
Too many people have been forced to work reduced hours, and taken pay cuts, and too many people are taking leave without pay.
We must be part of a united front, to keep COVID-19 at bay.
That starts from within us, when we adhere to rules that are designed to keep us safe.
