PNG records 72 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday June 17 – total cases at 16,933

 Papua New Guinea has recorded 72 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours ending 12 midday on Thursday June 17, increasing the total number of cases to 16,933.

The cases were reported in nine provinces with Hela province reporting the highest of 23 cases followed by Milne Bay with 16 cases. Manus reported 11, Gulf 10, Eastern Highlands four, Morobe and National Capital District three cases each whilst New Ireland and Southern Highlands reported a single case each.

Of the 72 cases reported, 50 are males and 22 females. Their ages range from five to 84 years.

The country’s COVID-19 cases now stands at 16,933 with 173 known deaths. A total of 16,309 recoveries have been recorded with 451 cases still active over the last 21-day period.

To date, 130,467 people have tested for COVID-19. All 22 provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases.

Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 177,799,519 including 400,028 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll stands at 3,848,629 including 9,497 deaths reported in the last 24 hours.

The Commissioner of Police and Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response Mr David Manning said delays in receiving reports from PHAs and testing facilities still remain a concern for the National Control Centre. He said the National Control Centre’s Surveillance Team is constantly identifying gaps and is working with provinces to ensure limitations that may be associated with data interpretations are minimized.

Meanwhile, Chimbu, Southern Highlands, Northern, Jiwaka, Milne Bay, Gulf and Hela remain least reporting provinces. Mr Manning has urged the respective provincial health authorities to rectify this situation and ensure that the provincial COVID-19 responses including testing and vaccination are ramped up and reporting done on a regular basis.

(PNG COVID-19 statistics as of Thursday 17 June, 2021.)

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