COVID-19 reaches PNG's Second Mine, total now at 214 confirmed cases

 The Lihir Mine in Papua New Guinea is the second mine site in Papua New Guinea with confirmed COVID-19 cases.  Newcrest Mining Limited today confirmed positive a 30-year-old male. The case is a mine employee who had flown in from Port Moresby on 30 July.

He was detected during the routine screening process for all incoming workers where a mandatory screening and 14-day quarantine process is effected upon arrival on the mine site.

The patient is part of 26 confirmed cases reported today by the National Pandemic Control Centre in Port Moresby.

Included in the 26 reported cases is another confirmed case from Lae. The patient is a 53-year-old female employee of a government institution who had recently spent time in China.

The other 24 cases are from the National Capital District, 11 of which have been identified through increased testing in Wanigela settlement in Koki.

The 26 reported cases today bring the total to 214 confirmed COVID-19 cases in PNG.

“Thank you to all community members and leaders for a combined effort to contain this outbreak.

“We are encouraging residents from other suburbs in Port Moresby to report to the nearest clinic in your area if you have cough, sore throat or flu like illness.

“Please protect your family, community and country by getting tested.

“To date, we have 214 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 3 deaths, 63 discharges and 140 active cases,” said the National Pandemic Response Deputy Controller, Dr Paison Dakulala.

The total number of tests completed in PNG is 11,439 tests.

“As PNG hits the 200 mark today, globally we are just under 20 million confirmed cases.

“This is a critical time for all of us, we need you all to work with us to fight this virus,” said Deputy Controller Dakulala.

Meanwhile, patients in the provinces of Morobe, West Sepik, Southern Highlands, Western and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville are continuing contact tracing for the recently confirmed cases.

All cases are currently monitored by their respective Provincial Health Authorities.

Statement

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