Tuesday 21 July 2020

Prime Minister, James Marape, this afternoon announced eight new cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the  National Capital District.

This brings the total  number of cases to  27, within Day 35 of the new normal, “Niupela Pasin’ in the country.

Of the 27 cases, 18 of those reside in the National Capital District alone.

In  the  past four weeks and five days, the government   identified 27 confirmed cases and  one  death which was the country’s 17th confirmed case.

Mr Marape clarified  that although the patient was tested positive for Coronavirus, she did not die from it but from breast cancer.

With  a high number of  health officials confirmed with COVID-19 at the Port Moresby General Hospital , residents have been warned   to avoid visiting the  Hospital, if they  fall  sick or just visiting patients but  to   wear masks and use hand sanitizers, if they need to.

As of 20 July,  8, 910 persons were tested  on PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), 8, 891 samples collected, of the total; 8, 866 turned out negative while 82 are pending results.

Mr Marape has called  on all Papua New Guineans, especially the residents of Port Moresby City to be very cautious of their movement, due to the current increase in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19  in the City.

“The Government is concerned about the movement of people and the spread and will do its best to contain the spread and save lives.”

Mr Marape said there is high probability of continued  community transmission in the National Capital District., as well as  high probability of transmission in border and surrounding provinces.

Prime Minister is   discouraging people to be in clusters due to the recent increase and and urged  people to stay at home if they have flu-like symptoms.

Meantime, other health statistics as of 21 July 2020 show that   the world has confirmed 14, 836, 415cases and recorded 612, 417 deaths.

The pandemic has reached 212 countries including Papua New Guinea and other Western Pacific countries of Australia, Philippines, Singapore, New Zealand, Guam, French Polynesia, North Mariana Islands.

Indonesia  on the other hand, has reported 88, 214 confirmed cases and 4, 239 deaths. Out of the total, 2, 640 confirmed cases and 27 deaths are from Papua.

“West Papua has  368 confirmed cases and five  deaths. This goes to show that our Wantoks, just a border away and like us, are not immune to Coronavirus.”

Mr Marape is appealing to   citizens to be responsible for their families, community and country’s health, adding  COVID-19 is here to stay.

Citizens are further  urged to  follow these strict health measures to stop the spread of the virus:

•   Wear face masks at all times in public places;
•  Wash your hands with soap and water (Practice personal hygiene);
•  Main Social Distancing (stay at least 1-2 meters way from others);
•  Sneeze into your elbow; and
•  Do not touch your face, eyes and nose.
•  Isolate yourself by staying at home, if you have nothing to do in other places.
• Call the National Operations Centre (NOC) Toll Free number 1800 200 for medical attention.