Bula.
At 7.49pm, permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services Dr James Fong announced another 22 cases of COVID-19 as of this morning. One new case, he said, has not yet been linked to other cases or clusters and is under investigation. The individual is from Caubati and was swabbed at the Valelevu stationary screening clinic after presenting with symptoms. All the other new cases are linked to existing clusters, including the new CWM Hospital cluster. All of these cases are stable and are either in isolation facilities or home isolation. The new cases are linked to the following communities and clusters: CWMH cluster – 14; Navosai cluster – 4; Kinoya cluster – 2; Navy cluster – 1; and Caubati – 1 (under investigation).
By 9.55pm, he announced another 13 new cases. All the new cases are from existing clusters: QEB cluster – 7; CWMH cluster – 3; and Nawaka, Nadi cluster – 3.
This brings the total number for today to 35 new cases. Again, that is a big number, and will be a concern.
Here are some stories that made the headlines in The Fiji Times’ edition for Thursday, June 3.
The big ones on PAGE 1 are:
COVID-19 response and containment plans
GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 response and containment plans are coming in dribs and drabs, to the detriment of the Fijian populace. This according to the Fiji Civil Society Organisations Alliance, which said in a statement that as COVID-19 cases continued to escalated, Fijians were becoming confused by the opening up of containment borders, and the lack of a cohesive plan and information from Government.
Granny braves the cold
A 66-YEAR-OLD grandmother braves the cold and wet every day to fish to feed her grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Nailevu Divela said the family has been surviving on rourou and rice during the COVID-19 containment, and fish, if she was lucky enough to get some, was a welcome addition to the plate.
REFLECTIONS
But let’s pause for a moment here to reflect on an important subject – physical distancing.
As the number of our COVID-19 positive cases continues to rise, there is obvious discomfort and great concern among many Fijians.
This is to be expected.
When you consider the recent easing of border restrictions in strategic areas around the country, there will be some sense of trepidation.
We may fall back on the advice and reassurance of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, however, it is still difficult for many people to accept the recent turn of events. The rising numbers are worrying. They are a major concern.
Interestingly, in the face of the rising numbers sits questions on adherence to physical distancing rules, and common sense.
There will be issues hovering around public transportation for instance, social gatherings, and funerals.
We learn that public service vehicle (PSV) operators are saying people need to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing requirements.
This reaction comes in the wake of concerns raised about crowding on PSVs in the Lami, Suva and Nausori containment zone.
Fiji Bus Operators Association president Nisar Ali said information on social distancing protocols has been widely disseminated and people should follow them.
It was everybody’s responsibility, he pointed out, to ensure that when travelling on public service vehicles, they maintained social distancing.
Drivers, he said, could only tell the travelling public to distance themselves and enforcement was done by the Land Transport Authority and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.
Fiji Taxi Association president Raben Singh said the same protocols introduced when COVID-19 first came applied to taxis.
He said no one would be allowed into taxis without a mask and passenger numbers were now limited.
“Drivers are even selling masks to help facilitate their travel, but people should not be moving around unnecessarily.”
In the face of all these rules, police spokeswoman Savaira Tabua said they would continue to restrict movements of people despite the uplifting of borders.
“Our officers are manning checkpoints to ensure restrictions are followed,” she said.
“We would also like to encourage the public to be responsible. We will not be everywhere, therefore, their support is needed.”
The onus really is on us as individuals to make sound decisions daily.
It is unfortunate that some people are not adhering to physical distancing rules when they board buses and cabs. The question is how do we ensure this is done though! This certainly isn’t the time to be living dangerously.
It clear that the cluster that attended a funeral recently came off as a major spreader of the virus.
It is a tough ask, but we can only hope that Fijians consider this when farewelling loved ones moving forward.
It is frightening to note the rise in numbers.
However, we can be buoyed by the fact that we know what to do to keep the virus away.
The challenge is to be vigilant. Thousands of Fijians depend on us all making the right decisions daily.
PAGE 2
Contractual obligation
FIJI Airways is contractually obliged to take delivery of the five Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft it ordered and the penalty for breaking contracts is more severe than accepting the aircraft and utilising them to earn revenue.
PAGE 3
FIU salaries
THE Financial Intelligence Unit used $746,000 on salaries for nine salaries out of its total $801,000 expenses in 2020, the FIU’s 2020 annual report that was tabled in parliament yesterday said.
Online scam
AN ONLINE scam duped 73 Taveuni residents into sending $98,658 to Benin, West Africa, last year.
Holistic plan
GOVERNMENT had 365 days to develop a holistic and coherent plan that should have outlined Fiji’s strategies and rationality in expanding containment borders, but failed to do so. This, according to the Fiji Civil Society Organisation Alliance.
Outbreak containment
THE Health Ministry’s efforts to contain the outbreak are to be commended and are in line with the World Health Organizations recommendations.
A-G attacks FRIEND
ATTORNEY GENERAL Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told Parliament that Lautoka NGO, FRIEND Fiji, has been getting political mileage out of assisting people under the current COVID-19 situation.
Lockdown assessment and decisions
EVERY assessment and decision for lockdowns of areas and facilities is based on guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO).
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Check out letters to the editor on Pages 8 and 9.
PEOPLE
In this popular section, you can read about: Akanisi Tamanivalu
When Akanisi Tamanivalu was in primary and secondary school her main focus was art and craft. Read about how this helped her earn a living.
BACKTRACKS
This is another popular section that comes out every Thursday. Read about the singing medicine man.
By day, he is a renowned doctor and surgeon. But when his shift is over and he hangs up his stethoscope, Dr Ravneil Divnesh Singh gets immersed in his other passion — music. His love for rhythm, rhyme and melody and composing original music has caught the attention of the music fraternity in Fiji.
SPORTS
The big one on the back page is about: Peceli Yato
National rugby backrower Peceli Yato who is based in France, is assisting families in his village with ration packs.
There’s more to read inside, but you’ll have to get a copy to know what we are talking about!
e-EDITION
I have been getting calls from people who miss the newsprint version. In this period, you could try reading the newspaper on the e-Edition platform. It’s easy to hook up via mPaisa! You can contact us for details on https://www.fijitimes.com/subscribe/ or you can call Setaita on 7754078, or on 3304111 during office hours, to assist you.
You could also just follow a few steps and read The Fiji Times a few minutes later, live and direct! Here are the simple steps to follow:
1: Log onto www.fijitimes.com 2: Select the SUBSCRIBE tab. 3: Register. 4: Select mPaisa payment option! Try it! It’s a different experience!
