Fiji

Number of Covid-19 cases jump in Fiji

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said this was the highest recorded number of cases in a day.

Two of the new cases included a 20-year-old woman from Nadi who had returned from New Zealand on 22 March and a 39-year-old woman from Lautoka who is linked to the country's first case.

The other three cases are all linked to the Suva couple who tested positive to the coronavirus on Thursday. The couple's 11-year-old daughter, a 54-year-old man who recently travelled to India and Singapore and another close contact of the family.

123 arrested overnight for breaking curfew in Fiji

New curfew hours of 8pm to 5am were activated last (Friday) night.

Fijian Police Commissioner, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho, said,” The high number of arrests made during the curfew hours from 8pm to 5am this morning is a shocking sign of disobedience in a time where we are needing everyone to listen, obey, comply and restrict movement and gatherings.”

One hundred and twenty-three (123) people were arrested during the nationwide curfew hours.

Fiji confirms second case of COVID-19

Voreqe Bainimarama said the latest case was the mother of Fiji's first COVID-19 patient who remained in isolation in a stable condition.

The Prime Minister said after the first case was discovered on Thursday authorities moved to identifiy and isolate 11 members of the patient's household.

The group was transported to the isolation ward in Nadi Hospital where all those displaying symptoms were tested for COVID-19.

Mr Bainimarama said the initial patient's mother tested positive, making her the first locally-transmitted case in the country.

Marape attends Israel-Pacific Island Leaders’ Summit

The meeting is the first ever meeting with the State of Israel and Pacific Island Leaders, to reaffirm diplomatic relations between Israel and Pacific Island States.

Discussions in the meetings focused around challenges in achieving sustainable development of the region in agriculture, water management, food security, public health and disaster management. 

Marape to meet NZ counterpart in State Visit

The visit officially kicks off a series of State Visits he intends to conclude by the end of the year.

Marape left PNG shores today and will begin with a brief stop-over in Fiji.

Prime Minister Marape’s meet with his New Zealand counterpart aims to see bilateral discussions on matter of mutual interest.

“My visit to New Zealand is in order and to firstly thank them personally for being a genuine friend of PNG. Recently, the New Zealand Government assisted by evacuating our PNG students from China to New Zealand due to the coronavirus.

Fiji declares measles outbreak

In a statement released today, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services  declared an outbreak of measles for the Serua/Namosi Subdivision.

There have been two confirmed cases and two suspected cases reported from Wailali Settlement in Wainadoi about 25km out of Suva.

Three of the cases have recovered or are recovering at home, and one is currently admitted in hospital.

Accused pleads not guilty to murdering family of 5 in Fiji

Isoof pleaded not guilty to five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the High Court in Lautoka today.

The bodies of carpenter, Nirmal Kumar, 63, his wife, Usha Devi, their 34-year-old daughter, Nileshni Kajal and Kajal's two daughters aged 11 and 8 years were found in Nausori Highlands about 30km away from Nadi.

Fijivillage reports Kajal’s one-year-old niece was found crawling nearby.

Isoof has been remanded in custody until 19 November.

     

Photo Fijivillage 

4 men charged with trafficking 39kg of cocaine in Fiji

Dutch national Marc Winston, Shaneil Autar, Roshneel Kumar and Pravishek Narayan have been charged with one count each of unlawful possession and supply of illicit drugs.

Winston and Autar have also been charged with one count of unlawful exportation of illicit drugs.

It is alleged that on 7 October 2019, Winston, Autar, Kumar and Narayan engaged in dealing with the transfer, transport, and supply of 39.36 kg of cocaine between Lautoka and Nadi.

Fiji's Mt Washington a high-risk area - officials warn

Villagers should refrain from diving and fishing in coastal waters following reports of submarine rumblings and what sounded like explosions, the NDMO said.

People should also avoid the mountain's slopes, the office said, describing the situation as "high-risk".

The NDMO and the Mineral Resources Department were despatching an assessment team to the area today, a spokesperson said.

A full media briefing is expected later today.

The warning follows a magnitude 5.1 quake in the area on Sunday, which has been followed by multiple aftershocks.

“Healer” charged with murder of family of 5 in Fiji

Fiji Police said the accused who is a holder of PR status in New Zealand has been charged with five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

The suspect who is alleged to be a “healer” will be produced at the Nadi Magistrates Court today.

The bodies of a 63-year-old Nirmal Kumar, his 54-year-old wife Usha Devi, their 34-year-old daughter, Nileshni Kajal and her two daughters aged Sana, 11, and Samara, 8 were found in the Nausori Highlands on 26 August 2019.

A one-year-old girl was also found crawling at the scene.