Fiji

The newly-appointed Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said he expects quarantine-free travel with New Zealand to be in place by December.

New Zealand's Prime Minister said she expects her country will soon be in a position to open up to the Cook Islands.

Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said his country is committed to making the 'Bula Bubble' work with its major partners in the region.

Cynthia Rasch said the marina was now full with more than 40 foreign yachts, all seeking shelter ahead of the Pacific cyclone season this summer.

The yachts would normally head south out of the seasonal storm zone, but it was now wiser to remain where they were because borders were closed in Australia and New Zealand.

It was difficult for yachts to sail against prevailing weather in the northern hemisphere, meaning it was not possible for many to backtrack to home ports.

According to Stuff.nz the team is backed by All Black legend Bryan Williams, as well as the former Attorney Generals of both Samoa and Tonga. The group that wants to represent all of the Pacific nations, and are proposing to work closely with Counties-Manukau rugby union, who are based in south Auckland.

The Health Ministry says the latest patient is a 64 year-old woman who arrived on a repatriation flight from India on 27 August.

Last week, the ministry announced two men who were on the same flight had tested positive to the virus.

It said more than 200 passengers were onboard that flight and they had travelled from Delhi via Fiji, landing in Christchurch late on 27 August.

New Zealand's Health Ministry also announced last week that five passengers on the same flight tested positive after arriving in Christchurch.

In announcing the death last night, the Permanent Secretary for Health, James Fong, said the man had returned home from California on 6 August.

Fong said the man fell ill in managed quarantine shortly after his arrival and was transferred to the Lautoka hospital, where his condition worsened.

"Despite the best efforts of our healthcare professionals, he sadly passed away [Monday]last night."

On behalf of his ministry, Fong extended his deepest sympathies to family and friends.

This follows the country's first fatal case last month when a 66-year-old man, who was also in border quarantine, died at Lautoka Hospital.

Local media said the latest patient had returned on a repatriation flight earlier this month and was still in quarantine where he had earlier tested positive for the coronavirus.

The man, originally from Labasa, was accorded final rites at the Drasa Muslim cemetery in Lautoka this morning.

Reports said the body of the deceased was brought to the cemetery by the Ministry of Health staff and police officers.

This week the health ministry announced four people had died from dengue while 10 others died from leptospirosis this year.

Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said between January and July, 3300 dengue cases and 1000 cases of leptospirosis were recorded.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease which, without treatment, can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress and death.

The bacteria is often spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive for weeks

The Fisheries Ministry said the decision to suspend the ban was made to alleviate the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fisheries Minister Semi Koroilavesau said many people lobbied for the suspension of this year's ban.

"The normal ban period is from June to September.

"In order to assist the traditional resource owners and the economic assistance that it can provide within our economy, the government has decided to reduce the months that the ban will be left in place."

The Friday death of a 66 year old man came after he had contracted the coronavirus while in India undergoing medical treatment there.

Health Minister Ifereimi Waqainabete said many Fijians returning home were elderly and had serious underlying health conditions which increased the risk of mortality.

He said while the government was aware of the risk that some of citizens may have contracted the potentially deadly virus abroad, the health ministry had prepared accordingly.

At a press conference today (Friday), the Minister for Health Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the man had returned from India where he had recently undergone cardiac-related surgery.

The man contracted COVID-19 in India.

There were nine border quarantine cases reported from Fijians who were repatriated from India on 1 July.

The cases were confirmed on 20 July.

According to Dr Waqainabete, each of the patients have been securely isolated and have not had any contact with the public.

There has been no new COVID-19 case since 20 July.