The Butuwin Health Center in East New Britain Province is experiencing an outbreak of flu case which is suspected to be COVID-19.
Officer in Charge (OIC) of the health centre Mr. Clement Diap, said that these cases will have to be tested first to confirm if its COVID.
“The cases have shown symptoms to be related to covid-19 virus, but we just need to do proper testing before we advise the patients.”
In the past few weeks of January, Mr. Diap and his staff have worked under a lot of pressure due to number of patients visiting the hospital with the recent outbreak of flu cases as well as treating patients with Malaria cases.
“The management here has been advised that medical store in the province had run out of drug supply which we can use to treat patients,” he added.
“So, at the moment we only have common drugs and for that we are able to treat patients with Malaria.”
Meanwhile, four people have been admitted to the Butuwin Health Center with injuries sustained from an armed hold up that took place along the Baliora and Giregire road in East New Britain.
OIC Diap said of the four casualties, three were reported to be knife wounds while the other person was injured after he jumped out of the bus.
Diap also added that with a lot going on at the hospital, there is now a realization that the hospital need one more Health Extension Officer (HEO), which would help relief the workload.
Mr. Diap explained that the population in their catchment area is growing, something which they see is a burden to them at the hospital.