COVID-19

The roll out will resume on Tuesday, 6^th of April.

Deputy Incident Manager, Department of Health Dr. Melinda Susapu revealed on Saturday 3^rd April, that so far, 250 health workers in NCD have been vaccinated.

Most of the health workers are from the Port Moresby General Hospital.

Dr. Susapu, said the roll out has been temporary stopped during this Easter Holiday and will resume on Tuesday.

The National Control Centre is in dialogue with provincial governments to respond to the COVID-19 health crisis at the provincial level.

Governors of Oro, West Sepik and Eastern Highlands have expressed concern to the NCC on how the crisis will be handled in their provinces. 

Going forward, the National Control Centre is placing more emphasis to better coordinate and support.

Two short guides shared were on: How to talk to the public about COVID-19 vaccines; and guide to communicating about vaccine-related crises and AEFIs. 

They include “How to talk to the public about COVID-19 vaccines” and the “Communicating about vaccine-related crisis and AEFIs” developed for communications, and community engagement in risk communication, health promotion and vaccine demand. 

The 3^rd package from WHO is relevant for Healthcare facilities, called the COVID-19 Risk Communication package for healthcare facilities.

This increases the country’s total number of COVID-19 related deaths to 56.

All seven deaths were reported in the National Capital District. A 36-year-old female is among the six males aged between 40 and 72 years old.

Also in the last 24 hours, 271 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country, increasing the country’s cases to 5,620.

Western Province alone reported 221 new cases, NCD reported 25 new cases, Morobe with 15, Jiwaka with three cases, and Central province reporting a single case.

The Prime Minister together with the Commissioner for Police and National Controller of Pandemic, David Manning and Justice Minister, Bryan Krammer, together with other senior ministers and public servants took the immunization at the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby today.

Prime Minister lived up to his word to be the first to be vaccinated in order to cast out doubts among citizens that the Covid-19 vaccine can be harmful.

The team comprises of 35 members from the Royal PNG Constabulary, PNG Defence Force and Correctional Services.

Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, the security forces will also assist the health team with awareness and advocacy on COVID-19 measures.

“We have checked bus stops in town and set up roadblocks to check PMV drivers, crews and passengers to ensure they wear facemasks whilst traveling and carry authorised number of passengers as specified in the new measures under national public transport,” said the PPC.

Treasurer Ian Ling-Stuckey described COVID-19 as a “dual killer”.

“It kills on the health front, especially our elderly and those already sick. It also kills on the economic front. The Marape Government is fighting hard on both,” stated Ling-Stuckey.

On the health front, the Marape Government has lifted resources to the health sector by over 25 percent, a lot of that as a result of the Coronavirus Economic Stimulation Package, and the rest from better economic and financial management.

This brought the total of reported positive cases to 4,660, in 21 provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville since March 2020.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Government was not stifling economic activities and the public service because of COVID-19, and has appealed to those spreading rumours to stop and not mislead the public.

Marape also said the Government is trying to maintain a balance between keeping the economy running and functioning, keeping the public service available to people and at the same time, preventing the unnecessary movement of people.

Namah said large amounts of money were released, and need to be acquitted.

He challenged the Prime Minister to make public details of the COVID-19 operations.

“He must publish acquittals (accounts and details) and account for the first K24 million, the K600 million roll out, the K1.2 billion soft loan from Australia and all subsequent gifts, grants and loans,” the Opposition Leader said.

One of the families involved were the ones who were disputing that their loved one did not die from COVID-19.

The woman who passed away on March 18^th at the ANGAU Memorial Provincial Hospital was a regular patient since 2016 as she had high blood pressure and also suffered back aches.