PNG COVID-19 death Toll reaches Seven

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has recorded another death from COVID-19, bringing the country’s death toll to seven.

A 71-year old male from Central Province who resided in Moresby South was brought to the Port Moresby General Hospital on the 18th of September. He had fever, cough and shortness of breath. He tested positive for COVID-19 and died on the same day.

He had underlying medical condition: hypertension and diabetes.

The rapid response teams of Central Province and National Capital District have been notified and advised to commence contact tracing immediately to ensure contacts are quarantined and monitored.

“This recent death reinforces our call to our citizens to go to your health facilities and get tested if you have symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat or difficulty breathing. Knowing your COVID-19 status will enable you to get immediate medical care,” Mr Manning said.

Amidst the latest death, the Controller once again urged citizens to come forward for COVID-19 testing.

“I remind Papua New Guineans that our elderly and those with other diseases are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. It is an act of love to know your COVID-19 status so you do not spread the virus to your family and friends, especially the elderly,” Mr Manning highlighted.

To date, Papua New Guinea has 517 COVID-19 cases from 13 provinces: NCD (302); Western Province (189); Central (7); Morobe (5); East Sepik (3); East New Britain (2); West New Britain (2); Milne Bay (2); and one case each from Southern Highlands, Eastern Highlands, West Sepik, New Ireland and Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

Globally, the total confirmed cases are now 30,655,749 and the death toll stands at 955,213. There was an increase of 284,392 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours.

In the Western Pacific region, a total of 9 countries/territories had confirmed cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total confirmed cases for the region to 573,502 cases and 12,530 deaths.

Next : PNG COVID-19 Updates : Nine New cases in Port Moresby