Fiji recorded 1220 new cases of Covid-19 in the 24 hours ending Thursday morning. It is the largest number of cases in a single day since the latest outbreak began in April.
There were another five deaths which health authorities say have occurred over the past four days. This follows Thursday’s announcement of 10 additional deaths over the past week. The death toll in Fiji has now reached 74.
The most recent deaths included four people in their sixties and a 78 year old – none of whom were vaccinated. There are now 11,033 active cases with Fiji having recording nearly 14 thousand cases in the recent outbreak.
Meanwhile, a Fijian church minister who labelled the Covid-19 vaccine as “evil and against biblical principles” has been bailed by a Suva magistrate.
The 48-year-old pastor was charged with six counts of malicious acts contrary to the Public Order Act.
Tuiloma Tawaivuna of the Eleventh Hour Ministry Church in Lautoka appeared before Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili.
He was accused of creating public anxiety by posting anti-vaccination comments on social media between 10 February and 18 June this year.
Mr Tawaivuna was ordered by the magistrate to deactivate his personal Facebook account and the Eleventh Hour Ministry account until the end of court proceedings.
He was bailed for $US338 and the matter was adjourned to 27 August.
Via RNZ