Papua New Guinea has recorded six new COVID-19 deaths in the last week, increasing the total number of deaths to 121.
The deaths were all males reported in three provinces – Morobe (three), Western Highlands (two) and Jiwaka (one). Their ages range from 56 to 75 years.
To date the National Capital District has recorded 70 COVID-19 deaths which is the highest for the country followed by Western province with two, Morobe nine, Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands with eight each, West Sepik and West New Britain four each, Enga one, New Ireland and East Sepik with two deaths each, Jiwaka with six and Milne Bay with five deaths.
Also on Sunday May 2, 11 new cases were reported in four provinces – NCD (three), Madang (five), Eastern Highlands (two) and Morobe (one), increasing total COVID-19 cases in PNG to 11,273.
Of the 11 new cases, eight are males and three females. Their ages range between 15 to 60 years. At the time of testing, six were showing symptoms of COVID-19.
Police Commissioner and Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response Mr David Manning said a total of 93,283 tests have been done to date from which 11,273 were COVID-19 positive including the 121 deaths.
“It is important to note that the newly reported cases are not only from today. The date of diagnosis for
COVID-19 infections and deaths varies from a day to more than a month ago. Delays in testing and reporting is still a challenge for our pandemic response efforts,” Mr Manning said, adding that deaths are reported by the National Control Centre only upon receipt of death certificates and case investigation files (CIFS).
As of Sunday May 2 a total of 9,773 people have recovered from COVID-19 with 1,379 cases active last week.
Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 152,795,406 including 795,819 new cases reported in the last week. The death toll is at 3,206,117 including 12,882 new deaths.