Papua New Guinea has recorded four new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) deaths in the last 24 hours to 12 midday Sunday March 28, increasing the country’s total deaths to 49.
All four deaths were reported in the National Capital District. A 30-year-old female is among three males, aged 55, 62 and 74 who died from COVID-19. Police Commissioner and Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response, David Manning said the death toll climbed , as 144 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Sunday March 28, increasing the country’s total infections to 5,349.
Western Province reported 68 new cases of which 58 are males, nine females and one unknown. The youngest is 26 years old whilst the oldest is 61. All 68 cases were asymptomatic at the time of testing. The NCD reported 64 new cases of which 29 are males, 33 females and two unknowns. The youngest is nine years old and the oldest is 71. Twenty-four cases showed symptoms of COVID-19 whilst 38 cases were asymptomatic at the time of testing.
Mr. Manning further confirmed that Gulf province reported four new cases of which one is a male, two females and one unknown. The youngest is 24 years old whilst the oldest is 54. Three cases were showing symptoms of COVID-19 whilst one was asymptomatic at the time of testing. Of the three new cases reported for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, one is a male and two females between the ages of 30 and 60 years.
One case showed symptoms of COVID-19 whilst two were asymptomatic at the time of testing. West New Britain reported three new cases of which two are males and one a female between the ages of 25 to 36. One case showed symptoms of COVID-19 whilst two were asymptomatic at the time of testing. While in the Central province, there were two new cases reported of which all are females with ages 28 and 30. Both cases were asymptomatic at the time of testing.
The country’s COVID-19 cases as a result stands at 5,349 with 49 known deaths. In the wake of the surge Mr Manning has reiterated calls for all citizens to adhere to measures in the new normal or “Niupela Pasin“. He further appealed to all citizens to continue wearing masks, practice social distancing, use hand sanitizers to wash hands regularly and to refrain from activities that may help spread the virus. Twenty provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases. The distribution of the cases are as follows:
- NCD – 2,524;
- Western Province – 1,005;
- West Sepik – 334;
- Eastern Highlands – 251;
- Morobe – 206;
- West New Britain – 200;
- East New Britain – 167;
- Western Highlands – 118;
- AROB – 101;
- New Ireland – 77;
- Madang – 70;
- East Sepik – 51;
- Enga – 50;
- Central – 44;
- Simbu – 42;
- Southern Highlands – 39;
- Jiwaka – 26;
- Hela – 20;
- Gulf – 13; and
- Milne Bay – 11.
Total 5,349
Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 126,119,639 including 335,001 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 2,766,831 of which 7,368 were reported in the last 24 hours.
Media contact: Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS
COVID-19 Media & Public Information Joint Agency Task Force
Mobile: 75430557 email: ddkakas@gmail.com
Police email: ddkakas.policemedia@gmail.com
COVID-19 JATF email: ddkakas.covid19media@gmail.com