Bula vinaka everyone
Here are some stories that made the front page of The Fiji Times’ edition for Monday, June 21.
PAGE 1
New cases and one death
FIJI has recorded another 166 new cases of COVID-19 for the 24 hours ending at 8am today. Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong also announced Fiji’s seventh COVID-19 death — a 77-year-old man who was bedridden at home for several months. Dr Fong said the man had pre-existing medical conditions. He also said the family of the man had been counselled and further containment measures had been activated. Dr Fong said while majority of the new cases were linked to existing clusters, moving forward, the ministry would now report on areas of interest since the number of positive cases had grown.
REFLECTIONS
WHEN you consider the top story, this is a pretty worrying figure. We know what to do. We know what is expected of us, and what should happen to bring down the number or bend the curve. The question is do we have the commitment to make this happen? Are we willing to do what must be done? The revelation that a staggering 80 people were arrested for breaching health restrictions and the curfew, in the 24 hour period from Saturday to Sunday, is a concern for instance.
When you consider the fact that we are getting high numbers on our daily COVID-19 announcements, these breaches are frustrating.
They actually tell us many things about how people are responding to the virus.
The other report on Page 1 is about:
Parents relocate children
SHIVNEEL Chand of Voivoi Settlement in Nadi has been living in a makeshift shed after he was unable to pay his rent. Now, after more than a month of trying to survive, the father of two and his wife, Ashna Prasad, were forced to relocate their children to a relative’s home after they could not bare witness to their children sleeping through the cold nights.
PAGE 2
Aussie stands by Fiji
AUSTRALIA will continue to stand by Fiji until this dreadful virus is contained and beyond, says Australian High Commissioner to Fiji John Feakes.
Land restoration
INVESTING in land restoration creates jobs and generates economic benefits that sustain livelihoods at a time when hundreds and millions of jobs have been lost, says Agriculture Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy.
PAGE 3
Blood clots or bleeding
IF conditions such as blood clots or bleeding were to occur after getting the AstraZeneca shot, it would occur four to 30 days after the first dose and even rare after the second dose. This, according to pediatrician, epidemiologist and translation researcher and member of the WHO PCV Expert Advisory group Professor Fiona Russell.
Quarantine centres
“IT is extremely dangerous to establish quarantine centres in areas that are COVID-19 free,” says Unity Fiji Party leader Savenaca Narube. He made the comments after two hotels along the Coral Coast vouched to support the Government in its fight to contain the COVID-19 outbreak by becoming quarantine facilities.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
There are interesting letters to the editor on Pages 8 and 9.
PEOPLE
In this popular section of the newspaper, you can read about: Surendra Prasad
SURENDRA Prasad has a tendency of always rising above challenges. He still displays the same zest as he did when he was young. Raised in a big family consisting six sisters and three brothers, Mr Prasad took a leadership role in his early teenage years. “I was born in Masimasi, Sabeto and the family was living in three separate bure my father had constructed, the 67-year-old said.
POINT OF ORIGIN
This section comes out every Monday. Read about: Matainabou Landing
IN the early ’60s, Matainabou Landing, Nakelo, was the hub for the people of Tailevu and the outer islands in the Lomaiviti Group. At a time when they had very limited access to shops, it was the only place within an acceptable travel distance where they could access basic necessities and things not readily available at the village canteen.
SPORTS
The big one on the back page is about: Oceania 7s tournament
FIJI 7s coach Gareth Baber knows that Australia and New Zealand have the Olympics gold medallists in the cross-hairs ahead of this week’s Oceania 7s tournament.
There’s more to read inside, but you’ll have to get a copy to know what we are talking about!
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