Coronavirus

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Public urged to wear masks

Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom sent this message out to the public during the election period, as cases of the new Omicron variants BA.275, BA.4 and BAS continues to increase in globally.

"We are at a stage where the Omicron sub variant of BA.4 and BA. 5 are becoming more transmissible and as the potential to evade human immune system," Dr Daoni said.

He said with the low vaccination rates and testing happening in the country people must practice public health safety measures.

New COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests Kits Approved

The National Pandemic Response Controller, David Manning has approved for three additional Covid-19 Antigen Rapid tests kits for Covid-19 screening in the country.

The three new COVID-19 rapid tests kits are Singclean Antigen RDT, Lookspot Antigen RDT and Flow Flex Antigen RDT for SARS Cov-2 screening and diagnosis Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom said.

“Quality diagnosis of diseases is crucial as it ensures appropriate clinical intervention was undertaken by the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in 2021 to ensure that process is carried out,” Dr Daoni said.

NCC still operational

Despite the recent closure of the NCD Provincial Health Authority COVID-19 activities, the center is still releasing daily updates that are circulated widely, and managing the national pandemic response.

The NCC has 11 clusters fully operational. These include Incident Management, surveillance & rapid response, laboratory, risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), Niupla Pasin, Clinical Management, Infection, Control and Prevention, Vaccine and testing, Partner Coordination, Provincial Response Coordination and Call Centre.

PNGSF Directed To Release Health Equipment

He has directed PNGSF Executive Director, Albert Veratau to allow the NCDPHA staff to have access to facilities at the Rita Flynn sports complex by Wednesday, June 29.

The directive came in response to the lockdown of the Rita Flynn Sports Complex and the withholding of critical medical equipment, such as the GeneExpert machine belonging to the NCDPHA. 
The PNGSF closed its doors due to outstanding funds of K6.2 million owed to the PNGSF for the use of the RTC and other facilities.

NCDPHA ceases COVID-19 operations

Dr. Yennie made the announcement in a Circular, No. 20/2022 on Friday 17 June 2022. The decision was made by the NCD PHA Board on 16 June 2022.

The circular addressed to the Management and staff of NCDPHA, partners and stakeholders, stated that the NCDPHA Management resolved and made this decision.

Warning against COVID-19 surge

Deputy Pandemic Controller Dr Daoni Esorom says that the country is still in the pandemic and people still have to comply with the COVID-19 protocols to protect themselves and others against COVID-19. This includes getting vaccinated.

“We are working on the country recovery strategies that will be put in place post-election. It is important to note that all our four surges have been due to some national gathering, the election is a super spreader event, and we expect a surge during or after the election,” Dr. Daoni said.

Workers’ Willingness Towards COVID-19 Vaccine

Yet, since the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide in December 2019, only 1.2 percent of people in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as at October 2021 had been fully vaccinated.

In order to help improve vaccination rates, business houses in PNG began to actively encourage vaccination rollout in the workplace. As “no jab, no job” has become the hallmark of many a PNG employers’ whip to enforce COVID-19 vaccine policy in the workplace, their workers were under pressure to choose between getting vaccinated and continue to work or lose their jobs if not vaccinated.

Yellow vaccine cards not for sale

Dr Liko issued the warning after receiving reports that there are people charging for the issuing of yellow cards.

“The yellow cards are processed and issued for free by the National Department of Health, and signed by the Secretary as the licensing authority. Anyone found to be soliciting money out of the yellow cards must be reported to NDoH,’’ he said.

Secretary Dr Liko said the people travelling overseas are required to produce an international Vaccine Certificate upon arrival in most countries.

PCR Labs set up

Dr Daoni said currently the country is using AgRDT rapid tests and GeneXpert’s for diagnosis of the disease which are available in all the designated sites in the provinces.  Further PCR tests are done to determine the VoC, outside of the country.

Public Warned To Remain COVID Vigilant

They engage in all sorts of campaign activities with unhealthy foods consumed and amid the excitement are unwarranted activities going on. The result could be deadly.

These were the warnings by the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority Director for Public Health Services, Dr. Max Manape, when officiating the closing Trainers of Trainers (ToT) workshop for COVID-19 routine immunization at Aiyura, Obura/Wonenara district.