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

Authors

  • Nashika Sharma Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji
  • Dashika Balak Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji
  • Shaneel Prakash Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, Suva, Fiji
  • Julia Maguire World Health Organization Representative Office for the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2022.13.4.964

Keywords:

epidemiology, COVID-19, death, Fiji

Abstract

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 utilizing 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 >=70 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 (>=70 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.

Author Biography

Julia Maguire, World Health Organization Representative Office for the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

Consultant Epidemiologist

World Health Organization, Division of Pacific Technical Support

Downloads

Published

23-11-2022

How to Cite

1.
Sharma N, Balak D, Prakash S, Maguire J. Descriptive analysis of deaths associated with COVID-19 in Fiji, 15 April to 14 November 2021. Western Pac Surveill Response J [Internet]. 2022 Nov. 23 [cited 2026 Mar. 22];13(4). Available from: https://ojs.wpro.who.int/ojs/index.php/wpsar/article/view/964

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2022): October – December

Section

COVID-19: Original Research

License

You are free to:

  • Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
  • Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
  • The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.

Under the following terms:

  • Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
  • No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

Notices:

When the Licensor is an intergovernmental organization, disputes will be resolved by mediation and arbitration unless otherwise agreed.

You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.

No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.