PNG COVID-19 Confirmed cases pass 100 mark
Papua New Guinea now has over 100 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 19 more new cases have been confirmed today where 18 are from Port Moresby while 1 from Lae in the Morobe province .
Total active cases are 72 at this stage with 3 in severe condition, while deaths remain at 2.
Port Moresby is under locked for two weeks including Schools , business and public transportation.
St Johns Ambulance with support from the New Zealand Government and the National Department of Health have set up a drive through clinic at the Rita Flynn Isolation Centre where people can get tested if presented with cold and flu symptoms.
According to the Controller, the common symptoms presented by 80 per cent of the cases include include cough, chills, fever, headache, muscle aches, shortness of breath and abdominal pain. These goes to show that the virus can be tricky and therefore you MUST report quickly to your nearest clinic if you are sick with these symptoms.
The government has identified clusters of infection in the Nation’s Capital and is working with the Health Department and medical experts to contain the spread of the virus in the communities.
With broader community testing strategy over the next 10 days, we will have a clearer picture of this issue.
We have identified cases in clusters in Morata, Koki, Wanigela, Port Moresby General Hospital, The National Department of Health, the National Control Centre, Ensisi, 3 Mile, 2 Mile, East Boroko, UPNG, Gerehu, Hohola and Vadavada. These areas have been identified as contacts of confirmed cases who have been identified and tested.
LET ME REMIND YOU ALL THAT THE VIRUS IS IN ALL DISTRICTS OF THE NATION’S CAPITAL AND THE ONLY WAY FOR YOU TO KNOW IS THROUGH TESTING.
Therefore, I encourage you to isolate yourself at home as much as possible if you have been in contact with a positive case.
If you have cold and flu or any symptoms mentioned earlier, you have to get tested at the clinics by presenting yourself at the clinics or call 1-800-200 for assistance.
To date, we have tested 10,471 persons on PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), 9,939 samples collected. Of the total 9,939 turned out negative while 355 are pending results at the PNGIMR labs in Goroka and Port Moresby.
We can be sure to expect more confirmed cases as more samples are tested.
I now call on all Papua New Guineans, especially the residents of Port Moresby City to be very cautious of their movement due to the current increase in number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nation’s Capital.
Therefore, I strongly call on all Papua New Guinean to take responsibility of your own health and that of your family and community. Please limit your movement and comply with heath measures by Washing or sanitizing your hands:
* Wear face masks at all times in public places;
* Wash your hands with soap and water (practice personal hygiene);
* Maintain social distancing (stay at least 1-2 meters way from others);
* Sneeze into your elbow; and
* Do not touch your face, eyes and nose.
Please isolate yourself by staying at home, if you have nothing to do in other places.
Maintain physical distancing and stay at home if you have nothing to do and remember to WEAR YOUR MASKS IN PUBLIC Places.
Call the National Operations Centre (NOC) Toll Free number 1800 200 for medical attention.
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