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