COVID-19

The latest death recorded on 5 January, now brings the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths to 591 after been stalled at 590 for a while.

Meanwhile there has been an increase in the number of new daily COVID-19 cases reported. On the 3^rd and 5^th January 2022 there was one (1) newly confirmed case respectively, whilst there were 3 new positive cases on the 4^th January.

The escalating Covid-19 threat across Australia has prompted the NRL to impose a series of hardline restrictions on its players, even though there’s still two months until season kick-off.

Part of the measures include a return to the bubble-like protocols which ensured the 2020 and 2021 seasons were completed, with sources familiar with the situation saying all players had been told not to enter pubs, bars, nightclubs, bowling alleys and cinemas until further notice.

The NCC also highlighted in their latest statistics that Delta cases have not increased since the last count of 627.

From latest COVID-19 update from the NCC, Papua New Guinea recorded 11 COVID-19 infections on Friday 31 December 2021, increasing the total confirmed cases to 36,190.

The NCC confirmed that the new cases were recorded in Northern with seven, East New Britain two, while Central and Western Highlands recorded one each.

As of December 31^st 2021, 35,515 persons have recovered from the virus, while the dead toll remains at 590.

The update comes a day after Channel 9 reported Pritchard was on life support with a collapsed lung, among other issues due to the virus.

The Daily Telegraph also reported Pritchard had been in the ICU at Liverpool Hospital and has had an ongoing problem with asthma issues.

According to Gould, though, Pritchard is “stable”.

“Just an update on Frank Pritchard from his Brother. He’s out of the coma and in a ward. Lungs are still weak, but in stable condition. Will keep you updated. Prayers are helping. Thanks everyone,” Gould tweeted.

UK-based Dimension, AKA Robert Etheridge, confirmed in an Instagram post he tested positive for Omicron, making him New Zealand's first community case of the fast-spreading COVID-19 variant.

The Ministry of Health said he arrived on a flight from the UK on December 16 and after three negative test results in managed isolation, was allowed to complete his final three days in self-isolation.

But the Ministry said he didn't wait for his negative day nine test result before leaving self-isolation, as required, and went on to visit multiple venues including a nightclub.

Hospitalisations have risen to 1066, up from 901 in the previous reporting period, with 83 patients in intensive care.

There are five times as many people being treated for Covid-19 in the state's hospitals as there were in mid-December, although the number of people in intensive care has increased at a slower rate.

Premier Dominic Perrottet last week said the health system "remains strong" and the state was in a "very strong position" despite the fast-growing case numbers and increase in hospitalisations because of the Omicron variant outbreak.

The Ministry of Health has reported two deaths taking the death toll to 700 since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Both cases had pre-existing medical conditions according to Health Permanent Secretary, Dr James Fong.

He said while both these deaths occurred in individuals who have been immunised with 2 doses of the vaccine, they both had significant underlying medical conditions and were over the age of 50.

He adds it is known that these factors place a person at higher risk of severe disease, even if fully vaccinated.

This brings the total number of active cases to 780 as health authorities tackle a third wave of the coronavirus outbreak across the country.

The Government also confirmed that out of the latest cases, 115 were recorded on 28 December.

A 62-year-old Covid patient had died at home on Christmas Day. He was fully vaccinated and had suffered severe respiratory distress.

The death toll is now at 698, with 696 of them from the latest outbreak that began in April this year.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu warned against "narrow nationalism and vaccine hoarding" in a new year statement.

His comments come two years since the WHO was first notified of cases of an unknown pneumonia strain in China.

Global Covid cases now stand at 287m, while nearly 5.5m people have died.

Across the world people are marking the new year but celebrations are muted, with many countries wanting to discourage crowds gathering.

For passengers who have been vaccinated in PNG, they are required to produce the yellow International Vaccination Certificate which is issued by the PNG National Department of Health.  

The green domestic vaccination certificate is not sufficient.