Fiji's curfew hours have been revised after the country achieved 70 percent vaccination rate this week, the Government said.
The new curfew hours, effective last night, are from 10pm-4am.
.. Photo: Fiji govt
According to the Health Ministry, 592,242 people had received their first dose of the vaccine, and 448,128 got both jabs.
"Based on our updated total population of 618,173, people aged 18 years and over (adults), the revised vaccination coverage rates are 95.8 percent for adults who have received at least one dose, and 72.5 percent are now fully vaccinated nationwide," Health Secretary James Fong said.
"As for children, 17,996 of them have received their first dose of the vaccine as of September the 24th. We will be tracking our vaccine coverage rates once we have firmed up our 15 to 17-year-olds."
Dr Fong also confirmed 146 new cases of Covid-19 in the community for the last 48 hours.
This brought the total number of cases to 12,881 with 253 recoveries.
There were 85 new cases reported yesterday and 65 on Tuesday. There were 31 cases on the remote islands.
Dr Fong said 32 deaths were recorded, three yesterday and 29 on Tuesday. The death toll is at 624.
He said 32 Covid patients had also died, and their deaths were not caused by the virus but from pre-existing medical conditions.
"We have also recorded 471 Covid-19 positive patients who died from the serious medical conditions that they had before they contracted Covid; these are not classified as Covid-19 deaths.
"There are currently 88 Covid patients admitted to the hospital - 47 are at the Lautoka Hospital and 41 are at the CWM, St Giles and Makoi hospitals."
Four patients are considered to be in severe condition, and five critical, Dr Fong said.
.. Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt
Bus operators happy
Fiji's bus operators have welcomed the new curfew hours.
Association president Nisar Ali Shah said the easing of restrictions would put the industry on a better footing.
Shah said they expected further easing of restrictions next week.
He said this would 'most likely outline the passenger capacity and Covid-safe protocols for public transport.
"Bus services will resume in two weeks, and in no time the service will become normal and Year 12 and 13 students can return to school.
"The schools' reopening will provide additional benefits and the bus service frequency will also increase.
Dr Fong said houses of worship and almost all workplaces could open at 70 percent capacity to fully vaccinated adults from 4 October.
Meanwhile, Australia has sent nine medical professionals comprising doctors and nurses to support Fiji's recovery from Covid-19.
In a statement, the Australian High Commission in Suva said after a request by the Fijian Government, nine Australian medical professionals would be working at the Health Ministry.
"A new contingent of Australian doctors and nurses have arrived in Fiji to support the country as it begins its recovery from Covid-19," the statement read.
Australian High Commissioner John Feakes said Covid-19 continued to reveal the strong bonds between medical professionals as they worked together to save lives and ensure Fiji got back to normalcy as quickly as possible
"Australia is pleased to have supported Fiji right from the start of the pandemic and we will continue to do so as Fiji begins it's recovery from this dreadful disease."
The medical professionals included six doctors and nurses supported by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and two nurses and a doctor (working remotely from Australia) supported by the Australian National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.
"These new arrivals follow the successful deployments of Australian New Zealand Medical Assistance Teams between June and September this year."
John Feakes. Photo: Australian High Commission/Suva