Wednesday 29 September 2021
The Deputy Controller of the National Pandemic Response, Dr Esorom Daoni is again appealing to Papua New Guineans to get vaccinated, as the new Delta variant cases of COVID-19 spread across the country .
In his weekly virtual press briefing, Dr Daoni said that the previous number of the Delta variant was 30 and detected in the National Capital District with 22 cases, Western province 7 and Madang with 1 case.
“Vaccines for us is very important. We need to vaccinate our people.”
He added, delta is fast transmitting among people and urged people to get vaccinated to prevent them from being hospitalised.
There has been an increase to 7 percent from 3 percent of vaccinated people.
It is reported that the Delta variant cases were detected since August 2021 with the new cases at 67.
Dr Daoni says the cumulative total number of Delta variant now stands at 97.
The National Capital District has reported 23 DV cases, West Sepik 35; Central 4; Morobe 2; Hela 1 and Milne Bay recording 2 cases.
Dr Daoni confirmed that there has being ongoing transmission in August 2021 to the earlier weeks of September 2021.
“On the 17th of August 2021 the one delta case from Central province was an imported case from the Philippines.
“Central Province also began detecting Delta cases first and second week of September 2021.
“Morobe and Milne Bay provinces began detecting cases 1st week of September, while the National Capital District may have experienced a delta surge beginning in late August into September.”
Dr Daoni said from the data collected, it revealed that of the 67 cases, 98 percent of the cases are locally acquired transmissions
“The 67 cases are from 21 days ago which mean these Delta cases are still classified as Active cases.”
The cases were recorded in Alotau (Milne Bay) with 2 cases; Lae (Morobe) 2; National Capital District 23; Vanimo (West Sepik) 35; Kairuku (Central) 3; ExxonMobil Plant site 1; and Oil Search Moro with 1 case..
Their ages range from 18 to 50 years old.
Dr Daoni said, “our critical commodity is oxygen. If we don’t have enough oxygen, a lot more people will die.
“We have enough ventilators ,but for the surge we would need more funding to support the provinces.”
He added an oxygen policy would be commissioned soon to enable sufficient supply oxygen is available in the country .