Controller of the PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response David Manning has called for proper handling of swab samples to get the desired outcome.
Mr Manning says proper handling of samples ensures they are of quality when they reach the laboratories for further testing. Mr Manning said there must be a proactive approach in testing and screening of citizens for COVID-19.
He expressed concern that the testing rates for COVID-19 in the country has been critically low lately.
“We can only find out the extent of the outbreak in the country if we proactively test people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the country’s COVID-19 cases have reached 850 with nine known deaths. A total of 41,289 people have been tested for COVID-19. Of the 850 cases, 812 people have recovered, 90 samples are pending at the laboratories and 29 active cases are currently in isolation.
Sixteen provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) have reported cases. The distribution of the cases is as follows:
NCD 367
Western Province 214
West New Britain 168
East New Britain 30
New Ireland 19
Eastern Highlands 13
Western Highlands 10
Central 10
Morobe 6
East Sepik 3
Enga 3
Milne Bay 2
West Sepik 2
Southern Highlands 1
AROB 1
Hela Province 1
TOTAL 850
Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 have reached 97,464,094 including 577,301 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.
The death toll is 2,112,689 of which 13,688 were reported in the last 24 hours. Mr Manning repeated his calls for citizens to follow the “Niupela Pasin” or New Normal under COVID-19.
He said the disease is real and all citizens should by now make the “Niupela Pasin” part of their life.
“Please wear a face mask in public places, avoid shaking hands or physical contact, avoid crowds, maintain physical distancing and regularly wash hands or sanitise your hands.”
“God has spared us from the wrath of COVID-19 but let us not take this for granted. We must do our part to protect ourselves and our loved ones. More than two million people have died globally from COVID-19 so please be proactive in preventing its spread in PNG,” Mr Manning said.