The announcement by the permanent secretary for Health and Medical Services, Dr James Fong of 105 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday evening would have come as a shocker for many Fijians.
What initially started off with announcements of well below 10 daily when this latest outbreak started, appears to have gone out of hand.
The large number of new cases would have greatly concerned Fijians around the country.
Given the announcement that there would be no total lockdown as a direct measure to fight the virus, there would be concern hanging over the Sunday figure in particular.
It would have inched out a lot of questions. Are we doing the right thing moving forward?
Surely there would be a fair bit of hope and confidence in the decision and direction taken by our medical experts.
However, in the face of that sits grave consequences if we get it wrong.
Our numbers continue to rise in the face of the relaxing of some borders and containment areas.
We realise community transmission would be a major concern, and so far, most of our new cases are linked to known clusters, with investigations continuing to determine some others.
Now when you consider the big picture, there will be questions over why people are coming out pleading for food.
This happened in Nasinu last week, and later at Nawakaat the weekend.
If there are similarities, then there has to be some acceptance of the harsh reality on the ground.
The powers that be have the unenviable task of balancing economic survival against the health of Fijians.
However, in saying that, we each have a challenge to do what is right. There are far too many inconsiderate people among us. They are sneaking around at night for social gatherings.
Some of them are sneaking around at night after curfew to drink kava with mates. They tolerate and endorse this inconsiderate behaviour.
The irony, it seems, is that some are even reportedly doing this in locked down areas. We can’t afford to live dangerously.
The virus is dangerous, and it can kill! Police reports say a total of 19 arrests were made between Sunday and yesterday for breaches of health restrictions and curfew orders.
Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said in the Eastern Division, six people were arrested in Waila for drinking alcohol while two others were found drunk and loitering along the Kings Rd.
In the Southern Division, he said, five alcohol-related cases were recorded in Narere while two men were found loitering during curfew hours at Tacirua.
Four arrests, he said, were made in the Western Division including a man in his 40s who was found driving without a pass in Rakiraki while three people were found intoxicated in the Nadi area.
Kava consumption, he said, has been linked to the continuous arrests for breach of curfew and health restrictions.
People who had been arrested were drunk with alcohol or found consuming kava.
There were 54 cases on Sunday, among them were seven Vanuatu nationals found drinking in Raiwai and three cases of people who were intoxicated with homebrew in Makoi.
On Friday, police arrested seven people who were all found drinking kava in Cunningham, Suva. The numbers will keep rising because there are some people among us who do not seem to care.
To the majority of Fijians who care and are adhering to COVID-19 safety advice, we say thank you. Let’s fight the good fight.
To those who continue to breach the rules, please be considerate. Do this for yourself, your loved ones, and for our nation. Thousands of suffering Fijians are hoping you will do the right thing today.
