Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu says there are no recorded cases of the new coronavirus variant NB.1.8.1 in the country although health authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
Dr Atonio said the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the ministry continued to watch coronavirus trends, both regionally and internationally.
“As it is, they continue to monitor the situation in-country and within the region,” he said.
If any credible data showed a risk to Fiji, he said,the ministry would be alerted.
“There hasn’t been any new case of the variant found in the country.”
The development comes after the World Health Organization classified NB.1.8.1 as a variant under monitoring.
The variant is currently the dominant strain in China and Hong Kong, and it has also been detected in Australia, where it is increasing in circulation.
The spread of NB.1.8.1 has prompted the Australian Government to urge its population to get their coronavirus booster shots. However, the health ministry has yet to issue a new advisory for the public, although it remains alert and ready to respond if necessary.
