COVID-19

This is due to the non-adherence and commitment from the government of the nurses industrial award 2021-2023.

A 14-day notice was issued on 25 October to the office of the Secretary for Personnel Management, Taies Sansan.  

PNGNA still awaits a response.

PNGNA President Frederick Kebai confirmed that there is still no response from the Department of Personnel Management.

During the awareness program at the Gordons market last Friday, 29^th of October, NCD Governor, Powes Parkop and the NCDC team were met with resentment and an eruption of disagreement from the crowd.

Vendors made it clear that they have decided against getting the COVID-19 vaccination. They said they are willing to follow the ‘Niupla Pasin’ protocols but will not take the vaccine.

While the Government maintains its stance that vaccination is voluntary, the vendors have also appealed to the Governor not to enforce the “No vaccine, No entry” policy in the city.

The refugees came from the Australian offshore detention camps in Manus (Papua New Guinea) and Nauru, and were brought to the mainland for medical treatment.

They are being held at the Park Hotel in Carlton, where 22 of them now have Covid-19, with one hospitalised.

The Refugee Action Coalition's Ian Rintoul claimed the proper protocols of separating the infected from those without the virus had been ignored by Australian officials.

He said the Australian government has created a Covid incubator in the Park Hotel.

According to Officer-in-Charge of Gumine Health Centre, George Umba the health facility, which is two kilometres away from Dirima, has so far recorded 17 cases and three deaths.  

He said there is community transmission happening in Gumine and said more patients are expected.

Recently the district COVID-19 mobile team have conducted vaccinations and administered 200 jabs to people in Dirima with the Johnson & Johnson (JJ) vaccine.

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Lands Minister, Robert Hamal Sawa, Bougainville Women’s Federation President, Barbara Tanne and Australian High Commissioner, Jon Philp launched the new market equipped with water tanks and hygiene facilities.    

The facilities are part of a K14.3 million project that is providing water security and hygiene facilities at 50 markets and schools across Bougainville and this initiative will help to promote greater economic participation and encourage people to be more hygienic.

Individuals who have had two vaccine doses can be just as infectious as those who have not been jabbed.

Even if they have no or few symptoms, the chance of them transmitting the virus to other unvaccinated housemates is about two in five, or 38%.

This drops to one in four, or 25%, if housemates are also fully vaccinated.

The Lancet Infectious Diseases work shows why getting even more people vaccinated and protected is important, they say.

Unvaccinated people cannot rely on those around them being jabbed to remove their risk of getting infected, they warn.

Wang made the remarks at the first China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Beijing via video link.

He said the bilateral relationship between China and the Pacific Island countries has shown a good development momentum, and the comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to deepen.

Relations between the two sides are based on mutual respect and equity, Wang said.

The case flew from Rotorua and arrived in Blenheim on Thursday. They were tested upon arrival after developing a sore throat.

"The initial test, including a follow-up swab, returned a weak positive result."

The ministry said the case is now isolating awaiting the results of further testing.

The case is considered low risk, due to their likely late stage of infection.

The ministry said initial case interviews suggested the case was linked to the Te Awamutu cluster.

Late Charlene was nine months pregnant and was admitted at PMGH on October 9, 2021.

The family stated that after observations were done by a doctor, Charlene was declared COVID-19 positive. She had been vaccinated on September 27, 2021 – just two weeks prior.

Because of her COVID-19 status, Charlene was admitted to Ward 10, which keeps COVID-19 patients.

However, she was discharged the following day, October 10, with a prescription totaling K375, which she would pick up at a pharmacy.

In a statement issued by Jack Kariko, Secretary for the National Judicial Staff Services, the scale down came into effect on yesterday 19 October. It will be lifted next Tuesday 26 October.

Kariko said only urgent court matters will be heard during this partial lock down period.

Further, the statement stated that all staff are required to get vaccinated and are required to show the ‘green vaccination card’ before they can be allowed entry into the premises.

The notice also applies to all court users.