Coronavirus

Speaking during the Pink October awareness on breast cancer and cervical cancer, the Governor for NCD emphasized on the COVID-19-related deaths that have increased at an alarming rate. 

He said every effort must be made to combat the spread of the virus.

In a recent press conference, NCD Governor, Powes Parkop said the Commission and major stakeholders in the city are weighing out options for a possible lockdown.        

He said they would assess the infection rate of COVID-19 and the transmission rate over the next two to three days for a possible outcome.

“At this time we want to focus on strategy that can work to stop the transmission and reduce the infection.

“If we look at lockdown, we tried it before during the first and second wave, we’ve spent a lot of time, energy and resources.

There were also five cases reported in managed isolation.

There was no media conference. In a statement, the Health Ministry said 46 of the cases are unlinked. There are now 287 unlinked cases from the past 14 days.

There are 50 people in hospital, including four people in intensive care. The Ministry said the average age of those in hospital is 44.

Yesterday the Ministry of Health reported 104 community cases of Covid-19.

The two new cases in Waikato - one in Te Awamutu and one in Hamilton - remain unlinked, along with five other cases in the region.

They have taken the step to rollout the vaccination drive with the aim to cover 7000,000 people from the eight districts of the province.

Provincial Health Authority Acting Director Public Health, Dr Max Manape led the awareness in Henganofi.

“So very important vaccination em bai redusim disla severity blong em. (When you get vaccinated it reduces the severity of COVID-19)

Dr. Manape explained further the effects of COVID-19 when a person is not fully vaccinated, recounting on his personal experience.

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 third weave of the deadly Corona virus has not shown any signs of discrimination against gender, race and even age.

While WHO (World Health Organisation) and other health experts say that people over the age of 50 and those with underlying conditions are most vulnerable, Port Moresby General Hospital CEO, Dr. Paki Molumi confirmed the death of three children from COVID-19 this week.                       

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.

Glanville believes this is the way forward in relieving some of the burdens placed by COVID-19.

An increase in COVID-19 deaths around the country has led to an influx of bodies into limited capacity mortuaries.

The Port Moresby General Hospital’s mortuary has reported an excess of 300 bodies while Morobe and Goroka’s COVID-19 Hospital morgues have reached their limits.

This, in turn, means burial sites are running out of space.

The Government Agency made the decision encouraging more than 700 employees to know their status and make informed decisions regarding treatment as well as the vaccination.

 “As front line workers, it’s very important that our employees protect themselves, their co-workers and families and the travelling public,” said NAC Acting MD and CEO, Rex Kiponge.

He said the hospital has now reached a crisis point. Cases of the COVID-19 Delta Variant has added to the current situation.

Dr. Molumi said the hospital is struggling with manpower to save lives and also to manage the dead.

“The Delta Variant is aggressively attacking people with 87 percent of the patients who showed symptoms of COVID-19 were tested positive to the disease.”

He said the hospital has also recorded a high number of people with breathing problems at the Emergency ward and dead bodies arriving at one time to be stored at the mortuary.