Coronavirus

The World Health Organization announced Friday it has designated the newly identified coronavirus variant, B.1.1.529, as a variant of concern, named Omicron.

Besides South Africa, the newly identified variant has been detected in Botswana, Hong Kong and Belgium.

The U.N. health agency recognized the strain, first referred to as lineage B.1.1.529, as a variant of concern.

Health experts are deeply concerned about the transmissibility of the omicron variant given that it has an unusual constellation of mutations and a profile that is different from other variants of concern.

He made this presentation recently on behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis. The presentation comes as the third round of assistance to the CCHS.

Packages containing respirators, masks, battery operated oximeters and other important items were delivered. Apart from the donations, the Nuncio gave a K10,000 cheque.

His Excellency Fermín Emilio Sosa Rodríguez, said he was happy to represent His Holiness Pope Francis, to convey to the people of PNG a gift consisting of medical equipment that the Holy Father wished to assist.

The cash of K12,808 was handed over to the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Joseph Apa on Wednesday 24^th of November in Goroka.

The students were able to raise the amount through wheelbarrow push in the respective towns where the universities are located.  

Their intention is to assist the EHPHA to upgrade the Goroka Base Hospital with the development of an oxygen plant for COVID-19 patients and other patients who require medical oxygen for treatment.

The donation is part of Ela Motors’ continuous support to the hospital since the pandemic began in 2020.

Ela Motors National Marketing Manager, Benjamin Niligur, thanked the Friends of POMGen and their effort to support POMGEN.

“On behalf of Ela Motors, we extend our appreciation to Friends of POMGEN and what they do for our National Hospital and as part of our annual ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Program’ we are happy to donate PPE supplies ranging from face shields, gloves, hand sanitizers, masks and gowns,” Mr Niligur said. 

In its situation report dated November 20^th to 24^th, the Morobe Provincial Health Authority reported 84 active COVID-19 cases for this month.

From the cumulative total of 2,427, 2,342 have recovered.

For cases per district:

• Lae – 1,776
• Bulolo – 167
• Huon – 137
• Nawaeb – 96
• Finschhafen – 94
• Usino-Bundi – 51
• Markham – 43
• Tewai-Siassi – 26
• Kabwum – 21
• Menyamya – 16

Vaccination update

Dr Daoni said COVID-19 is now affecting all provinces, but it is still mostly seen in urban areas and those villages and communities accessible to these places.

He said everyone has the responsibility to ensure it is not spread to the rural areas where the majority of the health facilities are not equipped to care for people sick with COVID-19.

“We now have evidence that vaccination does reduce one’s chance of contracting the virus, and if by a small chance that you do get it, the symptoms are more like the common cold and are not deadly.

• The kits must be locally field validated to see the performance of these kits on our Melanesian population.

The intensive fundraising appeal, which ran from October 3^rd to 17^th, raised K108, 440, to combat the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

In close consultation with the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority (EHPHA), the NEHASA was able to acquire 200 oxygen cylinders, 28 oxygen regulators, 28 Flow Meter, 250 Ivermectin MG Tablets, 200 Dexamethasone injection 4mg/ml 2MI IP/BP/USP, 55 Dexamethasone 4mg Tablets, 100Tabs/Pkt BP/USP, 1 Infusion Pump and other essential equipment which was needed in the COVID-19 facility.

With permission granted by the Provincial Health Authority CEO, Dr. Joseph Apa, the church erected an altar within the hospital premises so they can hold continuous prayer to bring hope to those infected by the virus.

President Pastor Joanis Fezamo who handed over the bibles on behalf of the SDA Eastern Highlands & Simbu missions, said they have been hearing about weird incidences happening within the hospital and among the COVID-19 patients. They discerned that these were not normal but were attacks from the devil.