14 Jun 2021

Fiji govt resists lockdown despite spiralling Covid-19 cases

From Midday Report, 12:15 pm on 14 June 2021

A surge in Covid cases in Fiji shows little sign of slowing - the country yesterday registered a record 105 new infections. Yet the government is resisting calls for a national lockdown, saying it could devastate the economy. Opposition leaders have been calling for that lockdown - or a state of emergency. There are now almost 800 active cases in Fiji, and some who are infected are being sent home because of the burden on health facilities. Max Towle speaks to Otago University epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker.