The rapid response team of the National Capital District (NCD) is conducting thorough case investigation, contact tracing and testing of contacts, in collaboration with the teams from the Health Department, St John Ambulance and the World Health Organisation (WHO). As of July 20, Papua New Guinea has 27 cases of Covid-19, three cases have recently been identified in NCD and are in isolation. David Manning says the sharp increase in the number of positive cases within the last week is a cause for serious worry and must not be taken lightly.[1]
National Pandemic Controller David Manning has announced nine new measures in response to the surge of Covid-19 cases in Port Moresby. Some of them are: closure of venues and clubs, ban on gatherings over 100 people, All markets to comply with social distancing requirements and safe and hygiene practices, religious activities to continue but to comply with health protocols.
High among these is the increased testing of citizens and tracing of contacts by the medical and health teams, with the involvement of police and the the army to police the implementation of measures put in place. He urged citizens to continue to adhere to the health and medical protocols especially wearing masks in public places and strict compliance to physical distancing and regular washing of hands.[2]
The Port Moresby General Hospital is scaling down its services due to Covid-19 cases being detected within its premises. The hospital chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said the hospital had gone into emergency mode.
The National Airports Corporation has been forced to reduce operational hours for all aerodromes due to the impact of Covid-19. This means airports will only open between the hours of 8am and 5pm every day. The new measures would come into effect from August 1.[3]
Papua New Guinea’s medical capacity is not able to handle the Covid-19 pandemic, but the government is trying its utmost best, Prime Minister James Marape said in a radio talkback show. Mr Marape said PNG only has 177 ICU beds nationwide, 40 or so ventilators and severe lack of masks. Mr Marape said the government tries to issue strict measures and directives to maintain the spread of Covid-19 in communities, centers and in the nation’s capital.[4]
The Molot health centre on Duke of York Island in Kokopo, East New Britain (ENB), will undergo a renovation costing K624,600. Kokopo MP Emil Tammur said the money would be drawn from the district services improvement programme fund. Molot health centre serves more than 9,000 people.[5]
[1] https://postcourier.com.pg/confirmed-covid-19-cases-at-27/
https://www.onepng.com/2020/07/covid-19-cases-in-png-alarming-manning.html
https://postcourier.com.pg/prime-minister-announces-16th-covid-19-case/
https://postcourier.com.pg/manning-more-covid-19-cases-a-worrying-trend/
[2] https://postcourier.com.pg/new-covid-19-measures-announced/
[3] https://postcourier.com.pg/port-moresby-general-hospital-to-scale-down-services/
https://www.onepng.com/2020/07/port-moresby-hospital-scale-down.html
https://postcourier.com.pg/airports-authority-scales-down-operational-hours-for-all-aerodromes/
[4] https://postcourier.com.pg/pm-pngs-medical-capacity-cannot-handle-covid-19/
[5] https://www.thenational.com.pg/health-centre-to-undergo-renovation-mp-says/