The first case of Covid-19 Coronavirus has been confirmed in a tweet by Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete at 1pm (FJT) this afternoon.
The minister revealed the single case is in Lautoka and was imported by a person who had recently travelled abroad.
The patient is in isolation, where he remains under medical supervision, said Dr Waqainabete.
“Our team is identifying all those who he was in contact with. There are no locally transmitted cases in Fiji, but we are vastly expanding containment measures. Details are being finalised now.”
Our team is identifying all those who he was in contact with. There are no locally transmitted cases in Fiji, but we are vastly expanding containment measures. Details are being finalised now. More from @FijiPM coming soon.
— Dr I Waqainabete (@Nadokoulu) March 19, 2020
Fiji news site FBC News reported that crowds were already rushing to supermarkets in Lautoka before the case had been confirmed.
The Health Minister’s tweet was retweeted by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who is expected to make an announcement shortly.
