COVID-19

In its latest travel advisory, the UN agency includes in that category people over 60, and those with conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

It also restates its position that blanket travel bans do not prevent the spread of the variant.

South Africa alerted the world about the variant last week.

Many countries then proceeded to impose restrictions on travel from countries in southern Africa.

"Blanket travel bans will not prevent the international spread, and they place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods," the WHO said in its statement.

Cases have been found in Canada, and his speech from the White House comes as US travel bans on eight African countries takes effect.

Mr Biden also urged people to get a booster and to wear masks.

He said he does not anticipate any further US travel restrictions or lockdowns at this time.

In remarks on Monday, the president called it "almost inevitable" that the Omicron strain, first reported by South Africa, will be found in the US "at some point".

He added that said vaccine companies are creating "contingency plans" for new vaccines "if needed".

The Government says this move is in response to the threat of the Covid-19 variant of Omicron

The World Health Organisation has declared the new coronavirus variant to be "of concern".

The WHO said the variant had a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggested a possible increased risk of reinfection.

It was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on 24 November, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.

They are all on Fiji's red list countries. Several countries have now banned travel from southern Africa.

In a Fox News report, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, who is a board member of the South African Medical Association, said she first noticed unusual symptoms on Nov. 18. 

The World Health Organization announced Friday it has designated the newly identified coronavirus variant, B.1.1.529, as a variant of concern, named Omicron.

Besides South Africa, the newly identified variant has been detected in Botswana, Hong Kong and Belgium.

Ministers from more than 160 WTO members were due to meet next week in the Swiss city of Geneva for an event seen as a test of the body's relevance.

WTO members reportedly took the decision at an urgent meeting held tonight.

Photo file 

The donation is part of Ela Motors’ continuous support to the hospital since the pandemic began in 2020.

Ela Motors National Marketing Manager, Benjamin Niligur, thanked the Friends of POMGen and their effort to support POMGEN.

“On behalf of Ela Motors, we extend our appreciation to Friends of POMGEN and what they do for our National Hospital and as part of our annual ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Program’ we are happy to donate PPE supplies ranging from face shields, gloves, hand sanitizers, masks and gowns,” Mr Niligur said. 

In its situation report dated November 20^th to 24^th, the Morobe Provincial Health Authority reported 84 active COVID-19 cases for this month.

From the cumulative total of 2,427, 2,342 have recovered.

For cases per district:

• Lae – 1,776
• Bulolo – 167
• Huon – 137
• Nawaeb – 96
• Finschhafen – 94
• Usino-Bundi – 51
• Markham – 43
• Tewai-Siassi – 26
• Kabwum – 21
• Menyamya – 16

Vaccination update

Mr Weggemans said Rotary Port Moresby is looking for a way to help the effort in fighting COVID in Port Moresby and they have witnessed the excellent job being done by SJA including the management of the TAC.

“In response to the COVID surge, we were looking for a way to help and we have seen that St John is doing an excellent job in managing the outbreak and the facility at Taurama Aquatic COVID Centre.

Of this, 31,244 have recovered and 436 have died. The newly reported cases as of Sunday 14^th November were 32 out of 1,305 people diagnosed. Six deaths were also reported.

Meanwhile in Eastern Highlands Province, the first period of partial lockdown, the 2pm-6am daily curfew, has been lifted. The number of patients coming through the COVID-19 facilities have reduced, with only 10 in-patients currently within the facility.