COVID-19

Covid: Biden urges calm over Omicron fears

Cases have been found in Canada, and his speech from the White House comes as US travel bans on eight African countries takes effect.

Mr Biden also urged people to get a booster and to wear masks.

He said he does not anticipate any further US travel restrictions or lockdowns at this time.

In remarks on Monday, the president called it "almost inevitable" that the Omicron strain, first reported by South Africa, will be found in the US "at some point".

He added that said vaccine companies are creating "contingency plans" for new vaccines "if needed".

Fiji steps up entry conditions amid Ormicron threat

The Government says this move is in response to the threat of the Covid-19 variant of Omicron

The World Health Organisation has declared the new coronavirus variant to be "of concern".

The WHO said the variant had a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggested a possible increased risk of reinfection.

It was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on 24 November, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.

They are all on Fiji's red list countries. Several countries have now banned travel from southern Africa.

Covid: 13 test positive for Omicron after S Africa-Netherlands flights

They are among 61 passengers who tested positive for coronavirus.

It comes as tighter restrictions come into force in the Netherlands, amid record Covid cases and concerns over the new variant.

This includes early closing times for hospitality and cultural venues, and limits on home gatherings.

Omicron was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by South Africa on Wednesday, and early evidence suggests it has a higher re-infection risk. It has been categorised by the WHO as a "variant of concern".

WTO postpones meeting over Omicron variant

Ministers from more than 160 WTO members were due to meet next week in the Swiss city of Geneva for an event seen as a test of the body's relevance.

WTO members reportedly took the decision at an urgent meeting held tonight.

     

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3-month-old baby dies of Covid-19 in Fiji

The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong said the baby was referred to the Vunidawa Hospital about 50km out of Suva late last month with acute history of cough and fast breathing.

 

Dr Fong said the baby was then taken to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva where he was tested positive for Covid-19 and died two days after admission.

 

Fiji’s Covid-19 death toll now stands at 695.

     

Fiji records 32 new Covid-19 cases

Seven of the total were recorded on Saturday, five on Sunday and 20 in the last 24 hours ending at 8am yesterday.

Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong said the Ministry of Health recorded an additional 14 Covid-19 deaths between August 6th and September 19th, 2021.

All deaths were reported in the Western Division and no of the cases were vaccinated.

An analysis of the 14 deaths shows the individuals were aged between 46 to 84-years.

Fiji rolls out Pfizer vaccination for children

A team from the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Team began dispatching the vaccine around Viti Levu yesterday in order for all vaccination centres to be ready for launch today.

Minister for Health Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete while receiving the Pfizer vaccine from the New Zealand High Commission reiterated the need for children to get vaccinated.

Permanent Secretary Doctor James Fong said this will also protect children who have not yet been vaccinated and are below that eligible age group.

Austria orders nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated

"We are not taking this step lightly but it is necessary," Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said.

Unvaccinated people will only be able to leave home for a limited number of reasons, like working or buying food.

About 65% of Austria's population is fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in western Europe.

Meanwhile the seven-day infection rate is more than 800 cases per 100,000 people, one of the highest in Europe.

185 new Covid-19 community cases in New Zealand

There was no media conference today. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there are 84 people in hospital, including 10 in intensive care.

There were no new cases at the border.

The ministry said 81 of today's cases are yet to be linked. There are 713 unlinked cases from the past 14 days.

The 25 new cases in Waikato include 15 who are known close contacts from a single household in Hamilton, where an earlier case had been confirmed and is already in isolation.

Eighteen of the 25 new cases have been linked.

Fiji reopens international borders

From today, only fully vaccinated diplomats, returning Fijian residents, permit holders and those approved by the Covid-19 Risk Mitigation Taskforce will be allowed in.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said fully vaccinated tourists from travel partners including New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the United States can enter Fiji from 1 December.