Fiji

Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary Shaheen Ali said the return of the cruise line to Fiji signified a crucial development in the country's post-Covid recovery, FBC News reported.

The Pacific Explorer was in New Zealand last week and is scheduled to make a further stop at Fiji's Dravuni Island before returning to Sydney, Australia.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that the one-month-old baby passed away at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva last week, 12 days after admission.

According to the ministry, the newborn was admitted three weeks after birth with severe Covid-19.

Of the 174 deaths since December 2021, nine deaths were below the age of 19.

The ministry said hospitalization for severe diseases remains within manageable limits.

Members of the public have been urged to get booster vaccine doses.

The cases include a 47-year-old, who had received 3 doses of the vaccine, a 53 year old man, who had received one dose and an unvaccinated 73-year-old man.

There are 119 new cases of Covid-19 where 40 cases have been recorded in the Central Division, 69 cases in the Western Division and 10 cases in the Northern Division.

There are 288 active cases in the country.

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr James Fong has urged everyone to stay up to date with their Covid-19 vaccination, and in particular adults over the age of 50.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that the cases were detected at Natua village in Cakaudrove on the second largest island of Vanua Levu.

The MOH said this morning that the early identification and referral of typhoid cases at Waivunia Village ensured the containment of typhoid cases.

Earlier this month, an outbreak of typhoid forced the ministry to impose movement restrictions at Waivunia Village in Nasavusavu and Natua Village.

Villagers of Waivunia have completed their 14-day isolation period and they have also been allowed to attend church meetings.

Fiji secured the spot after defeating Solomon Islands 3-1 in the second semi-final yesterday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.

The Solomon Islanders struck first via a penalty early in the match with Eileen Pegi putting them in front 1-0.

But it did not take long for the hosts to get to the score board after Cema Nasau connected well with a cross from Trina Davis to head home the equalizer.

Backed by the home fans, Fiji slowly found their way into the game.

First up, Samoa take on New Caledonia, followed by the top-ranked side in the competition, Papua New Guinea, playing Tonga.

On Sunday, hosts Fiji play the Cook Islands, and finally Solomon Islands play Tahiti for the final semi-final spot.

The winners of the final which takes place next weekend gain a spot in the Women's World Cup Playoff tournament in New Zealand early 2023.

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The hosts started off strongly in the game after leading in the first quarter 15-7.

The Alisi Naqiri-captained side maintained their strong defence that benefitted them a lot after extending their lead in the second quarter 40-14.

Ranked 15th in the world, Fiji also had a wealth of possession throughout the game and most of their players gave their strong performance.

The team also led in the third quarter 54-25.

Fiji will be meeting Tonga in their second game at 7.30pm (Fiji Time) tomorrow in Suva.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that out of the 268 cases recorded, 129 cases were recorded in the Central Division; 122 cases in the Western Division and 17 cases in the North.

97 new cases were recorded on Friday, 71 cases on Saturday and 41 cases on Sunday and 59 new cases in the last 24 hours ending at 8 am yesterday.

An 82-year-old man was presented to the Raiwaqa Health Centre in respiratory distress on the 9th of this month.

He was transferred to the CWM Covid ward, where he passed away yesterday.

This is believed to have been discussed during the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum, last week between Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Pacific counterparts.

Apart from Fiji, Papua New Guinea is also a possible destination in 2025.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama confirmed there have been some discussions about the possibility of Fiji hosting a match.

PNG has already put in a proposal to have a team in the National Rugby league competition in Australia, and PM Albanese is keen to see a Pacific team in the competition.

The Fijian Broadcasting Corporation’s Mario Fasala said they hope to turn this into an annual event.

A total of 60 spots out of the 68 have been booked so far.

One of the participants, Benjamin Robin, said he was excited to hear about the competition as he recalls his youth where he would gather with friends to fly kites.

“This thing was going on when I was very young, during those days there were lots of kite competitions, after so many years there was nothing, maybe 20-25 years there was no kite competition nor anybody flying kite.”