More than 30,000 people living in a containment area near Fiji's capital Suva have been identified for Covid-19 screening.
This follows a surge of cases - including 12 on Monday - which sent Suva and three surrounding towns into lockdown for 14 days.
Health checks are ongoing in Fiji in an effort to combat Covid-19. Photo: Facebook / Fiji government
The Health Ministry said it had identified those living within the zone of the Makoi woman who tested positive to the virus on Saturday.
Since Monday, there were 36 active cases in Fiji with 22 in the community and 14 in managed isolation quarantine (MIQ).
Health Secretary Dr James Fong said they would further narrow down the numbers to identify those who should be swabbed for testing.
He said the woman and seven members of her family tested positive for Covid-19 and were in isolation.
Dr Fong said the Makoi woman contracted the virus through her husband a border quarantine soldier who tested negative on April 10 and returned to his home in Suva on April 12.
He said the ministry's contact tracing for the family spanned from April 12 to April 25 when the family travelled and came into contact with members of the public.
However, Dr Fong said the finer details of where they travelled were operational matters.
He said the soldier was not the roommate of Case 73, another border quarantine soldier, confirmed to have been infected by the virus on Sunday, April 18.
Dr Fong said the husband likely got infected shortly after swabbing.
He said between the negative test result on April 10 and returning home on April 12, the husband had close contact with Case 73, who had also tested negative on April 10 and likely got infected shortly after swabbing.
Dr Fong said the soldier posed no transmission risk to the public because he had been contained within the government quarantine facility since April 18.
He tested positive after seven days in quarantine, Dr Fong said.
He said the ministry had cordoned off a certain area around where they (Covid-19 cases) resided.
But that is quite a busy area, Dr Fong added.
He said the ministry was also focussing on Cunningham in Suva where a family who attended a funeral in Lautoka had tested positive to the virus.
He added that all Covid-19 patients were in stable condition in quarantine facilities.
However, Dr Fong said one was transferred to the hospital because he showed symptoms.
Fiji now has 103 Covid-19 cases, 36 active with 22 in the community and 14 in MIQ while 65 have recovered and two deaths reported.
.. Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt
