THIRTY ONE  new COVID-19 cases were recorded  in the last 24 hours ending 12 midday on Thursday 29 July, raising the  country’s  total number of infections  to 17,717.

Controller of the National Pandemic Response, David Manning said the new cases  were recorded   in five provinces, with  Simbu reporting  16 cases followed by Madang with eight. National Capital District and Morobe, three;  cases each, whilst West Sepik reported a single case.

From  the 31 cases, there were  14  males and  17  females with their ages  between 52 and 59 years. Twenty  of the 31 cases were experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of testing.

Mr Manning said the total  number of   COVID-19 cases is 17,717 with 192 known deaths. The total cumulative recoveries stand  at 17,324, while  147,179  COVID-19 tests have been conducted so for.

All 22 provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases. Mr Manning has also confirmed  that 83,122 people have  been vaccinated as  of 28 July and since the vaccine roll-out in May  this year.

This includes 8,831 health workers, 50,819 essential workers and 23,472 persons with comorbidity.   To date, a total of 100,409 doses have been administered: 83,122 first dose; and 17,287 second doses.

Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 196,618,338 including 636,106 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll stands at 4,202,435 including 6,769 deaths reported in the last 24 hours.