![[Photo: Fiji Sports Council FMF Gymnasium]](https://www.fijivillage.com/news_images/199378269060dc3e4485e2e9fc2934.jpg)
The Permanent Secretary for Health confirms that moving forward, the health isolation facilities will be dedicated for patients who are most at risk of becoming severely ill or dying from the virus.
Doctor Fong says by placing the most vulnerable in these facilities, they will be able to ensure that they provide them critical treatment and closely monitor and respond if a person shows danger signs of severe COVID-19.
He says they are also establishing an intermediate COVID-care facility at the National Gymnasium with at least 50 beds available for patients who develop severe symptoms of the virus.
If need be, they have identified additional space in the area to expand the capacity of that centre if necessary.
Other patients will be asked to safely isolate themselves at home where they will be provided the guidance and resources to receive home-based care.
Doctor Fong says their highest priority is to provide life-saving care to those Fijians who are most at risk of becoming severely sick, requiring hospitalisation and dying.
He says anyone can experience severe COVID-19, however some people are more at risk, including those over the age of 60 and those with an existing medical condition, like hypertension, diabetes, heart or lung disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer or those who are obese or overweight.
The Permanent Secretary says their top priority is on preventing severe disease and death, and that means reaching and treating the most vulnerable patients as quickly as they can.
Doctor Fong says most people who contract COVID-19 will only have mild symptoms before making a full recovery.
He says of the more than 2,000 Fijians in isolation and quarantine facilities and more than 1,000 in home isolation, they expect most to mount full recoveries.
However Doctor Fong says over the next few weeks, as case numbers increase, their isolation capacity will be significantly tested.
He says as that happens, they need to ensure that they identify and treat those who are most vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
For those individuals in home isolation, they will have a list of patient names paired with contact information so that we can check-in with these individuals on a daily basis over the phone to assess their medical and non-medical needs.
He says as has been the case, they will continue to be provided with groceries and other household essentials so they can securely remain isolated within their homes.
Doctor Fong says they will be told to monitor their symptoms regularly and if they develop any danger signs, will be referred immediately to the nearest hospital or health facility for treatment.
If they aren’t able to transport themselves, they can call 165 for an emergency retrieval team to be dispatched to transport them to a COVID-care centre.
He says this team is based out of ANZ Stadium and they will also be charged with transporting patients with severe symptoms from isolation facilities to COVID-care centres.
Doctor Fong says this phase of their response requires that they move personnel from the field into Ministry offices so that they can check-in with patients remotely.
They have also supplemented their internal staffing with final year medical and dental students from FNU and they are grateful to these young people for stepping up to serve Fiji.
