Coronavirus

He told Chief Executive Officers of 22 Provincial Health Authorities during a recent health meet. The Prime Minister adding that the COVID-19 pandemic had intensified the deficiency PNG has in its healthcare sector over these years. 

It is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the heads of Papua New Guinea’s 22 Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs), key health personnel and partners are gathered together to address the challenges of the national COVID-19 Vaccination rollout program.

“This is an opportunity for provincial health leaders and health workers to have their voices heard, share experiences and lessons learned, and discuss a way forward, together,” said the National Vaccine Taskforce, Executive Director, Api Kassman.

In a statement released late last night, Mr Morrison confirmed he took a PCR test after developing a fever on Tuesday evening.

He had been due to attend an event in support of the Ukrainian community at the Sydney Opera House but cancelled due to his symptoms.

Mr Morrison said he was experiencing flu-like symptoms and would spend the next week recovering in isolation at home in Sydney.

"I had tested myself daily since Sunday, including this morning, with all tests returning a negative result," he said.

A health worker contracted Covid-19 and then infected his family who are based in Leone who attended several gatherings over the weekend including church.

American Samoa is in Code Red - meaning people must stay home, be vaccinated, wear masks and only essential services are open.

RNZ Pacific Correspondent in Monica Miller said there was a lot of panic buying when people found out Monday night.

After another rise in the incidence of the virus last week, the numbers are again on a decline, but there are still about 11,000 active cases.

The number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients is unchanged at 43, of whom six are in intensive care.

Since September, when the Delta variant first hit the territory, more than 45,000 people contracted the virus and 287 died.

Since last Tuesday, the health pass, which is needed to access a range of venues, is only valid for people who have received the booster shot.

This were the results from the last two updates on Thursday, 17th and Friday, 18th February 2022. On the 17th, 13 new Omicron cases were reported from the samples that were sent down to Australia, raising the total number of this new variant to 14 so far.

These 13 new cases of Omicron were among 333 new cases of COVID-19 reported on this day.

The prime minister told MPs the legal duty to isolate for those who tested positive would be dropped as he unveiled his "living with Covid" plan.

From 1 April the provision of free testing would be targeted to the most vulnerable, Boris Johnson said.

But the British Medical Association, a doctors' union, said the plan failed to protect those most at risk from Covid.

And opposition parties said the prime minister's blueprint out of the pandemic had moved too fast, and voiced concern over the scaling back of free testing.

The Health Ministry reports the victims were a 70-year-old man with underlying medical conditions and an 89-year-old woman who was unvaccinated.

There have been over 2,800 infections recorded across the atoll islands, with 23 new cases reported in the past two days.

The Government has extended its nationwide lockdown for another fortnight since Friday.

Authorities said the lockdown "may be longer should the need arise" due to widespread community transmissions.

The monarch is experiencing "mild cold-like symptoms" but expects to continue "light duties" at Windsor over the coming week, the palace said.

"She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines," it added in a statement.

Her eldest son and heir, the Prince of Wales, tested positive on 10 February, after meeting his mother on 8 February.

It is understood a number of people have tested positive at Windsor Castle, where the Queen resides.

The Whānau Ora Manager for Pasifika health service, The Fono, Europa Kupu said that close to 100 families have sought their support.

"It's increasing by the day," she said.

"Most of the referrals are from different clusters and gatherings that's been happening in the past few weeks. With the amount of family and individuals getting tested we're seeing the increase of positive cases."

Kupu adds that more support is needed from the government.