PNG reports 3 more new COVID-19 cases, total confirmed cases stands at 401

PAPUA New Guinea has reported three more new case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the last 24 hours, bringing its total confirmed cases to 401.

The three new cases are all from the National Capital District and were detected at the Port Moresby General Hospital, Rita Flynn and PIH respectively of which, two are females and one is a male.

Of the two females, one is a 25-year-old close contact of a positive case, who is also pregnant in her 3rd trimester - last 3 months of pregnancy - was asymptomatic at the time of testing and has comorbidities of diabetes and TB of the spine. She is currently admitted at the Port Moresby Hospital under care, treatment and support by caring health care professionals.

The other two cases however, presented with fever, cough, headache and difficulty breathing at the time of testing. They are now being cared for at the Rita Flynn Isolation Facility.

“With new cases recorded each day, I appeal to all citizens to be obedient, take ownership, and be responsible in protecting yourselves, your families, and your communities. Start living the New Normal or ‘Niupela Pasin’, practicing wearing of mask safely and correctly, physical distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, and getting tested when sick," said David Manning, the Controller of the National Pandemic Response.

Papua New Guinea has so far tested a total of 14,676 people for COVID-19, of which 13,522 have tested negative and 401 have tested positive. The death toll remains still at 4.

Recoveries stand at 232 and active cases at 162. The number of tests pending laboratory result is 636.

The NCD updates shows that the Rita Flynn Isolation Facility has currently 4 cases – 3 mild and 1 moderate. No discharges but 2 new admissions from the facility.

At the PMGH (ICU), there are six cases admitted out of which 4 are mild and 2 moderate but no severe or critical cases.

Globally, a total of 23,377,806 confirmed cases have been reported and 808,588 deaths. This is increase of 22,985,524 million confirmed cases and 807,661 deaths in five months.

In the past 24 hours, there was an increase of 261,622 confirmed cases around the globe.

Papua New Guinea’s closest neighour, Indonesia, reported 2,090 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing its total confirmed cases to 151,498. Ninety-four more people have died of the disease in the past 24 hours, bringing its death toll to 6,594.

The border with Indonesia remains a big threat to PNG. Until the next updates, currently the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua, have both reported 17 new cases on the 22 August, bringing the total confirmed cases for the two provinces to 4,177. The death toll for the two provinces remains at 49.

Further updates on the Western Pacific region will be reported on the 24 August updates.

Next : PNG Reports 4th COVID-19 Death