Port Moresby reports one more new case - COVID-19 Total Confirmed cases in PNG Rise to 424

THE National Capital District reported one more new case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the last 24 hours.

This brings the total number of cases in NCD to 262 and 424 for the country with the death toll remaining at 4.

This case is among 1,887 samples that were collected in NCD between 31 July to August 26.

Out of the 27 health facilities and sites expected to collect samples for COVID-19 in NCD, only seven are doing it with the Rita Flynn Isolation Facility leading the way.

The other facilities collecting samples are Taurama Aquatic Drive-Thru; Gerehu Hospital; Rapid Response Teams; Lawes Road; Pacific International Hospital and 9-mile clinic (5).

Currently, at the Rita Flynn Isolation Facility there are 3 inpatients; 1 moderate and 2 moderate. Three got discharged. Port Moresby General Hospital currently has 6 inpatients; 3 are mild, 2 are moderate and 1 severe. There was also one discharged.

Controller of the National Pandemic Response Mr David Manning said while the cases in NCD continue to rise, the behaviour of people towards adhering to the preventive measures needs to be addressed.

One of these measures, he said is on the mandatory wearing of face masks in the capital city to contain the spread of the virus.

“The measure, ‘No Mask No Entry’, is for Public Motor Vehicles, shops, markets, buildings, and even in public areas where physical distancing is not attainable, and most people adhere in shops because this is being implemented by the shop management.

“However, it is not happening on PMVs and in public areas. People are so lax about it. One or two PMVs have signs of “No Mask No Entry’’ on them, but you look at the passengers in those PMVs without masks on and you know it is not happening,’’ Mr Manning said.

Mr Manning called on every individual, organisation or private company and community in NCD to take these measures seriously.

“Of the people that have tested positive to COVID-19 so far, 53.8 per cent are asymptomatic (no symptoms) when they went for the test. By wearing a mask, you are protecting yourself from contracting the virus from others and also helping prevent others from acquiring the disease from you if you have it,’’ said Mr Manning.

He said currently the rate of community transmission is high in NCD so anybody can contract COVID-19.

Meanwhile, PNG has to-date tested a total of 15,592 people for COVID-19 since the outbreak began.

Of this figure, 13,386 have tested negative and 424 tested positive. The number of tests pending laboratory results stand at 1,686. Of the 22 provinces in the country, 11 have reported cases.

Furthermore, the majority of the cases which is 61 % are from NCD, 34 % are from Western Province and the remaining 5 % are from 9 provinces.

Globally, there are now 24,332,107 people who have been confirmed with COVID-19 as of today and a death toll of 829,665.

This is an increase of 272,489 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours. Papua New Guinea has adopted the ‘Niupela Pasin’ more than two months ago which is about living a new culture of adhering to hygiene and healthy practices in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Western Pacific region where PNG sits has to-date reported a total of 471,595 confirmed cases and a death toll of 10,171.

In the last 24 hours, a total of 6,698 new cases were reported in 13 countries out of 22 in this region.

These included Australia which reported 118, bringing its total confirmed cases to 25,322 and 23 new deaths, bringing its death toll to 572; China reported 8, increasing its total confirmed cases to 85,004. Its death toll remains at 4,634; French Polynesia reported 43 new cases, bringing its total confirmed cases to 415. It has no deaths; Japan reported 701 new cases, bringing its total confirmed cases to 63,822 and 13 new deaths, increasing its death toll to 1,209; Malaysia reported 6 new cases, bringing its total confirmed cases to 9,291. Its death toll remains at 125; Philippines reported 5,277 new cases, bringing its total confirmed cases to 202, 361 and 99 new deaths, increasing its death toll to 3,137; Singapore reported 60 new cases, bringing its total confirmed cases to 56,495. Its death toll remains at 27; South Korea reported 441 new cases, bringing its total confirmed cases to 18,706 and 1 new death, increasing its death toll to 313; Vietnam reported 5 new cases, bringing its total confirmed cases to 1,034 and 2 new deaths, bringing its death toll to 29.

statement/PNGToday

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