SUVA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- A member of Fiji's security forces working within a border quarantine facility in Nadi, Fiji's third largest city, has tested positive for COVID-19, which could pose a risk of transmission beyond the border, Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said on Sunday.
The prime minister said in a statement that this case was detected on Saturday during a routine test, and it is an imported one.
Bainimarama said the soldier contracted the virus anytime from one to six days prior and that he interacted with other daytime staff in the quarantine facility during that time. That means there may have been some exposure outside of the facility that they have to manage.
The soldier had received his first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That means his risk of severe infection is reduced and it is likely his risk of transmission was lower. But that doesn't mean they can afford to take any chances, particularly given the rise of new and more contagious variants of COVID-19 around the world. If he hadn't received that first dose, the risk to him and others would have been much higher, the prime minister added.
On Saturday night, staff who were working in the facility during the potential window for transmission and members of their households have been quarantined.
Bainimarama ruled out the possibility that Fiji now can relax some of its remaining health restrictions, including the capacity of large public events and the curfew hours.
"Unfortunately, that will have to wait until we are certain this case does not pose a risk to the public. In fact, we should prepare for these measures to become more stringent if we find there has been transmission to the public. For now, do not gather and do not travel unless it is essential. Large gatherings, especially, are not safe," he said.
According to local media report, the soldier is believed to have contracted the virus from a couple who had returned from India.
On Saturday, Fiji's Health Ministry said that four persons, including a 69-year-old male and a 38-year-old male who are family members that travelled to Fiji from India on April 10 this year, tested positive of COVID-19 and have been transferred to the isolation ward at Lautoka hospital, about 24 km north of Nadi.
Fiji has detected 73 cases in total, with six active cases, 65 recoveries and 2 deaths, since its first case was reported on March 19 last year.
A total of 42,492 COVID-19 laboratory tests have been conducted, with a daily average of 237 tests per day over the last 7 days.
Fiji maintains strict travel restrictions to date for foreign visitors alongside a nationwide curfew effective from March 30 last year to ensure safety on the island nation. Enditem
