Tuesday 7 April 2020   

 

“Today is not the time to be careless and hurtful to each other. Someone who is tested positive to corona is not a threat to society so remain calm and patient.”

This was stated by the Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, on Tuesday 07 March, 2020, warning citizens from stigmatizing persons infected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

He said the announcement that a 40 year old woman in Kokopo of East New Britain province has been infected by the virus should not shock everyone. “She is taken care of and her footprint is being mapped so that the appropriate care is provided as far as medical attention is concerned.

“It is a genuine cause for concern for us and we will establish her source of contact and the impact of that case on our people in Kokopo and other areas in East New Britain. “We don’t need to be afraid of the coronavirus as many of those who have contracted or were infected by the virus have recovered or are recovering,” said the Prime Minister.

He added, the 21 Provinces Response Teams in the provinces will be assisted by the National Operations Centre (NOC) with support from international partners like the World Health Organization (WHO) and others.

Prime Minister Marape urged the people again to isolate themselves and remain in their villages and homes and stop unnecessary movements. The National Operations Centre on COVID-19 has spoken to the woman in Kokopo and she is healthy and is doing well. “The East New Britain Provincial Response Team has taken the issue on board and is stepping up the response to contain it for spreading.”