Papua New Guinea reported 47 new cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Friday 26 February, increasing the country’s total cases to 1,275. 

The latest cases were reported in West Sepik, West New Britain, East New Britain, Central, East Sepik and in the National Capital District. 

In NCD, of the 26 case reported, 17 are males and 8 females with ages ranging from one to 66 years old. At the time of testing, 21 cases were showing symptoms of COVID-19 whilst five were asymptomatic. Four of the 26 positive case came into contact with previous positive cases.

Twelve cases were reported in West Sepik of which six are males and six are females with ages ranging from 22 to 70 years old. Three cases were showing symptoms of COVID-19 whilst nine were asymptomatic at the time of testing. Ten out of the 12 cases reported, came into contact with previous positive cases.

Four cases were reported in East Sepik. One male and three females with the oldest being a 68 year old have been tested positive. One case was showing symptoms of COVID-19 whilst the other three were asymptomatic at the time of testing.

Three new cases have been reported in East New Britain. Two cases are male and one Is a female with ages ranging from 28 to 42 years.

Both West New Britain and Central province reported a case each in the last 24 hours. 

A 33 year old male is the latest to be confirmed positive in West New Britain.  He was showing symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of testing.

In Central province, a 50 year old female health worker has been tested positive. She was experiencing sore throat, cough and muscle aches at the time of testing.

The country's COVID-19 stands at 1,275 with 12 known deaths. 

Seventeen provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases. The distribution of the cases is as follows:

Provinces Confirmed Cases

NCD 468

Western Province 323

West New Britain 196

West Sepik 126

East New Britain 38

Madang 35

New Ireland 23

Eastern Highlands 13

Western Highlands 13

Central 13

Morobe 9

East Sepik 9

Enga 3

Milne Bay 2

AROB 2

Hela Province 1

SHP  1

TOTAL 1,275

Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 12,209,815 including 421,407 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 2,490,776 of which 10,508 were reported in the last 24 hours.