Fiji's government is trying to find 43 passengers who shared flights with the man confirmed as the country's first Covid-19 case.
Fiji's prime minister Frank Bainimarama, flanked by government officials and ministers, announces the country's first case of Covid-19 coronavirus on Thursday. Photo: Supplied / Fiji government
The Ministry of Health has been in contact with other passengers over their whereabouts and health since the flights on 16 and 17 of March, between San Francisco and Nadi, and Nadi and Auckland.
Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Fiji Airways had published a list of the passengers required to contact the authorities immediately.
Mr Bainimarama called for the public to help track down the passengers.
"Our contained efforts depend on each of these individuals making contact with the Ministry of Health.
"Because these passengers' interaction with our first patient may have been extremely brief especially compared to the intimacy of a 12-person household, we must exercise an abundance of caution and extinguish absolutely any chance of Covid-19 spreading further."
Mr Bainimarama said Fiji had three confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
The three patients remained in isolation and in a stable condition.
Mr Bainimarama said the contact tracing team had identified the 359 passengers and crew of the flights.
Update as of 10am 24/3/20
— Fijian Government (@FijianGovt) March 23, 2020
We still urgently need to get in touch with the 43 remaining passengers who need to call 2219906 or email on fijihealthimt@gmail.com#Fiji #COVID19Fiji #COVID19 #FijiNews #TeamFiji pic.twitter.com/NX3uKPXMOf
Some people had left the country while others had entered self-quarantine, he said.
He warned of the risks posed if passengers did not make contact with the health officials.
"This is an unacceptable risk. If these people are infected, even if they appear healthy, they could easily affect anyone they interact with across the entire country.
"Until we can trace each and everyone of these passengers, all Fijians must stay at home and limit all non-essential travel."
The flights are:
FJ 871 - San Francisco to Nadi (16 March 2020)
FJ 411 - Nadi to Auckland (17 March 2020)
FJ 410 - Auckland to Nadi (17 March 2020)
Mr Bainimarama said the border protection measures in Lautoka remained in full effect.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM COVID-19#Fiji #FijianGovernment #FijiNews #TeamFiji #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Uu0x7yppFj
— Fijian Government (@FijianGovt) March 23, 2020
