Editorial comment – Watch those figures

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Police officers on patrol in Suva. Picture: FIJI POLICE

The revelation that the police issued 196 cases of Public Health Infringement Notices (PHIN) during the 48-hour period that ended yesterday is cause for concern.

A police statement said failure to wear a face covering (mask) in a public place accounted for 161 of the overall 196 PHINs issued for the period.

We learn that the Southern Division recorded the highest number of bookings with 119 cases, both the Central and Eastern divisions recorded 14 reports, the West 11 cases and officers from the Police Special Response Unit recorded three bookings.

We also learn that failure to wear a mask in a Public Service Vehicle recorded 26 cases.

The Southern Division recorded 21 reports and the Central Division 5.

There were six PHINs issued for breach of curfew, the statement read.

Two PSV drivers were booked for failing to comply with the passenger capacity regulation and one PHIN issued for breach of isolation in the Eastern Division.

On the medical front, the permanent secretary for Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong announced 161 new cases of COVID-19 for the 24-hour period that ended at 8am on Saturday.

There were 101 cases in the Western Division, 56 cases were from the Central Division and four cases were from the Eastern Division.

He said the national 7-day average daily test positivity was 13.4 per cent, which was on a downward trend but still indicating a high level of community transmission.

The issue of community transmission is a major concern.

It is worrying that some people aren’t concerned at all about this.

It is a concern that some people are shrugging aside safety advice, and living life dangerously.

It seems the reopening of containment borders on Viti Levu has made some people complacent.

This is a worry.

It is a concern because the virus has not left us yet.

We are still facing a major challenge.

We are still fighting a war that many countries around the world are finding difficult to win.

This war needs us to be vigilant.

It needs us to be proactive and constantly on our toes.

It needs us to adhere to every COVID-19 safety measure.

The police report and the announcement by Dr Fong should not be taken lightly.

They should serve as a firm reminder about why we must be fixed on fighting the virus.

Remember our children have not had their jabs yet.

Consider their vulnerability.

Consider the danger they are in if we get infected.

Love them by protecting yourself, and staying safe.

That means adhering to physical distancing rules.

It means wearing your mask everytime you are out in public.

It means washing your hands often with soap and water or using a hand sanitiser.

Let’s stay on course Fiji!

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