Papua New Guinea to tighten Covid-19 measures as cases surge
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is set to adopt more stringent measures as it records a surge in Covid-19 infections.
On Saturday, 295 new infections were reported for Thursday and 132 for Friday, though health experts believe the true numbers were likely much higher.
“Due to a high number of cases being detected, it is difficult sometimes to get everyone to isolate in a designated facility so please if you are told to isolate at home make sure you do that,” Controller of the National Pandemic Response and Police Commissioner David Manning said in a statement.
The Pacific nation has recorded dozens of new daily infections through March, more than doubling its total Covid-19 caseload in the last month.
Papua New Guinea’s health department announced it would begin “nationwide isolation” this week.
“Everyone has a responsibility to look after themselves by following the health measures,” Manning said.
The virus has now been reported in 19 of the country’s 22 provinces or regions. Nearly half the cases are concentrated in the capital, Port Moresby, where hospitals are reportedly turning new admissions.
Half of pregnant women sent to hospitals in Port Moresby are testing positive for the virus, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, told reporters. Australia is Papua New Guinea’s largest aid donor.
PNG has thus far recorded 2,837 coronavirus cases and 41 deaths.
Edited by Olajumoke Adeleke
