Papua New Guinea reported 34 new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) increasing the country’s total cases to 1,111.
 
The latest cases were reported in the Western Province, New Ireland and in the National Capital District.
In NCD, 10 cases were reported of which five are males, four females and one unknown. The youngest of the 10 cases was 15 and the oldest was 66 years old.
 
Five cases were showing symptoms of COVID-19 whilst five were asymptomatic at the time of testing. Two out of the ten cases came into contact with a previous positive case.
 
Western Province reported 23 positive cases of which 20 are males and three females. The youngest of the 23 positive cases is 19 and the oldest is 61. Of the 23 cases, two showed symptoms of COVID-19 whilst 21 were asymptomatic. All 23 cases are from the North Fly area.
 
In the New Ireland province a 57-year-old female is the latest to be confirmed positive. She was experiencing a cough, headache and running nose at the time of testing.
 
The country's COVID-19 case as a result stands at 1,111 with 10 known deaths. Seventeen provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases.
 
Meanwhile, the Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response David Manning has issued a direction to the PNG Sports Foundation directing them to provide for immediate access, usage and occupation of the Rita Flynn sporting complex to the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority.
 
"I did this on the expert advice of the health professionals who are working tirelessly at the National Control Centre to protect PNG from the COVID-19 pandemic and after having received a request from the NCD Provincial Health Authority Acting Chairman Ken Wai.
 
"The complex is urgently needed due to an upsurge in cases in the NCD. The isolation ward at the Port Moresby General Hospital and the Gerehu hospitals are full and it is critical that Rita Flynn is made available as a temporary field hospital for COVID-19 patients, in particular, so that both PMGH and Gerehu can continue to serve the public without risking the health of inpatients and staff.
 
It is a matter of national importance that PNG continues to take strong measures to protect the health of our people," said Manning.

SOURCE: PNG GOVT/PACNEWS

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