Implementation and use of a national electronic dashboard to guide COVID-19 clinical management in Fiji.

Problem: From April to September 2021, Fiji experienced a second wave of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) precipitated by the Delta variant of concern, prompting a need to strengthen existing data management of positive COVID-19 cases. Context: With COVID-19 cases peaking at 1405 a day and many hospital admissions, the need to develop a better way to visualize data became clear. Action: The Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs collaborated to develop an online clinical dashboard to support better visualization of case management data. Outcome: The dashboard was used across Fiji at national, divisional and local levels for COVID-19 management. At the national level, it provided real-time reports describing the surge pattern, severity and management of COVID-19 cases across the country during daily incident management team meetings. At the divisional level, it gave the divisional directors access to timely information about hospital and community isolation of cases. At the hospital level, the dashboard allowed managers to monitor trends in isolated cases and use of oxygen resources. Discussion: The dashboard replaced previous paper-based reporting of statistics with delivery of trends and real-time data. The team that developed the tool were situated in different locations and did not meet physically, demonstrating the ease of implementing this online tool in a resource-constrained setting. The dashboard is easy to use and could be used in other Pacific island countries and areas.

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Survey in Central and Western Divisions of Fiji, 2021.

During November-December 2021, we performed a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence survey in Central and Western Divisions of Fiji. A total of 539 participants 8-70 years of age were 95.5% (95% CI 93.4%-97.1%) seropositive, indicating high community levels of immunity. Seroprevalence studies can inform public health responses to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Descriptive analysis of deaths associated with COVID-19 in Fiji, 15 April to 14 November 2021.

Objective: There is limited published information about deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Fiji, the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Region and low- and middle-income countries. This report descriptively analyses deaths directly associated with COVID-19 in Fiji by age group, sex, ethnicity, geographical location, vaccination status and place of death for the first 7 months of the 2021 community outbreak. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of deaths directly associated with COVID-19 that occurred from 15 April to 14 November 2021 in Fiji. Death rates per 100 000 population were calculated by using divisional population estimates obtained from medical zone nurses in 2021. Results: A total of 1298 deaths relating to COVID-19 were reported, with 696 directly associated with COVID-19 and therefore included in the analysis. Of these, 71.1% (495) were reported from the Central Division, 54.6% (380) occurred among males, 75.6% (526) occurred among people of indigenous (iTaukei) ethnicity and 79.5% (553) occurred among people who were unvaccinated. Four deaths were classified as maternal deaths. The highest percentage of deaths occurred in those aged 370 years (44.3%, 308), and the majority of deaths (56.6%, 394) occurred at home. Discussion: At-risk populations for COVID-19 mortality in Fiji include males, iTaukei peoples, and older (370 years) and unvaccinated individuals. A high proportion of deaths occurred either at home or during the first 2 days of hospital admission, potentially indicating both a reluctance to seek medical care and a health-care system that was stressed during the peak of the outbreak.

What do university students say about online learning and the COVID-19 pandemic in central Fiji? A qualitative study.

Globally, the spread of COVID-19 has led to the closure of schools, thereby accelerating the expansion of the online learning environment. Though, Fiji National University students' (FNU), had no option than to quickly adopt to this mode of learning, within limited period, their learning experiences are yet to be examined and documented. We used phenomenological study design to explore students' online learning challenges, coping strategies and their perceptions on the causes of COVID-19. A total of 120 in-depth interviews were conducted with FNU students, at different levels and colleges, and analysed thematically, using inductive approach. The three themes emerged included COVID-19 misconception beliefs among students, online learning challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and online learning coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The misconception beliefs identified were natural occurrence, manmade for depopulation, unreal/fake and as a means of soliciting for funds. The challenges included ineffective tutorial sessions, lack of learning devices, unstable internet service, inadequate learning environment, socio-cultural practices, feeling of loneliness, anxiety and stress, and difficulties accessing online platforms and acquiring practical skills. The coping strategies used by students ranged from support from family and counsellors, help-seeking, frequent communication, time management, learning flexibility to control over learning environment. The findings highlight the need for policy makers, school managers, lecturers and other key stakeholders to address online learning challenges to improve online learning among FNU students. Relevant information should be provided on the COVID-19 pandemic to clear misconceptions.

An overview of the Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) crisis in Fiji: Correspondence.

Fiji is facing the second wave of COVID-19 and has been recording increased number of COVID-19 cases. The response of Fijian Government is mainly directed towards obtaining international assistance in terms of expertise and vaccinations. While international support is necessary for the country, the Fijian Government also needs to consider the basic needs of the affected Fijians. In response, this article will provide an overview of the current COVID-19 crisis in Fiji to justify the need for reshaping the current approach of the Fijian Government.

The use of careFiji app for contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic: Digital gap and challenges faced in Fiji.

Globally, digital contact tracing initiatives has been used as a tool to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fijian Government and Ministry of Health are promoting the use of the "careFiji" app to help in contact tracing. This paper will discuss the rollout of the careFiji app which helps in combating COVID-19 in Fiji, and the challenges caused by the digital gap that has surfaced during the pandemic.