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Fiji marks alarming new Covid record as second wave surges

Fiji has recorded its highest number of daily Covid cases since the pandemic began.

Australia’s neighbours have seen 180 new infections and two Covid deaths in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services reports.

It follows 126 local cases on Monday and its previous peak of 166 on Sunday.

There are currently 1,631 active cases in isolation, making up a large portion of the country’s 2,270 total cases since last April. The country's total population is about 940,000.

A map of the growing Covid cases in Fiji.
Fiji has recorded its highest number of daily Covid cases since the pandemic began. Source: Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services

On Saturday, Fiji received another 50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from Australia to help combat the country's latest outbreak, the NZ Herald reports.

Australia's federal government has supplied 1.3 tonnes of PPE, medical supplies and testing equipment to the country since the outbreak began in April, and has sent $83 million for Covid measures since the start of 2021.

It was also announced over the weekend that Australia will send a medical team to its near neighbour.

A multidisciplinary team made up of Australians and New Zealanders will deploy, initially for a month, to provide support with health system management, infection prevention and assessment of the priority health needs.

The health security of Fiji is a critical priority, said a statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne, Health Minister Greg Hunt and International Development Minister Zed Seselja.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said this week it was providing an additional NZ$10 million for Covid-19 operations and food supplies in Fiji.

Singapore travel bubble talks continue

Also on Saturday, Australia's federal trade minister Dan Tehan said he would fly to Singapore for more talks about a travel bubble.

This picture taken on April 24, 2021 shows residents wearing face masks walking through the fish market in the Fijian capital Suva. Source: Getty
There are currently 1,631 active cases in isolation, making up a large portion of the country’s 2,270 total cases since last April. Source: Getty

Despite months of discussions about the proposal, he told reporters it was still unclear what infection or vaccination levels would be needed to see the plan established.

"We will only create a bubble with Singapore when it is safe for us to do so and in the meantime we're looking at what would be the processes that would enable that to be as safe as possible," Mr Tehan said.

It's expected Singaporeans who have been vaccinated would be able to travel to Australia without having to complete two weeks of hotel quarantine.

It may also be possible for people from other countries to enter Australia via Singapore after completing quarantine in the Southeast Asian city-state.

With AAP

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