A 54-year-old man from Yangoru, East Sepik Province, has become the 10th known person to die due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The latest death has been reported from the Angau General Hospital in Lae on Monday 08 February, 2021. The man was admitted to the hospital on January 28 with symptoms of COVID-19 which were fever, cough, chest pain and shortness of breath .
He was tested and confirmed to have COVID-19. His records also showed that he was a long-time patient with hypertension. His death could not be released to the media earlier because the hospital needed to complete all investigations to rule out any possible causes.
Meanwhile, the Controller of the National Pandemic Response Mr David Manning has sent out his condolences to his immediate family and relatives for their loss.
“We are saddened to announce this death. We send our condolences to his family and relatives,’’ said Mr Manning.
Mr Manning said this person did the right thing by seeking help at the hospital. Unfortunately, despite everything being done to help him he succumbed to the virus. The controller also used this opportunity to appeal to everyone in the country to adhere to the measures in place against COVID-19.
“At this stage, there is no cure for COVID-19. The health workers can help care for you when you are sick with COVID-19, but there is no treatment for it,’’ he said, adding that this is why it is important that everyone must listen and adhere to the health measures against COVID-19. These are:
• Washing your hands often;
• Coughing into your elbow;
• Avoid touching your face (in case you coughed or sneezed into your hands);
• Wearing of facemasks in public;
• Avoiding crowds;
• Practicing physical distancing of 1.5 to 2 metres from the next person;
• Avoiding hugs; and
• Cleaning work benches and personal items such as phones and laptops.
Today’s surveillance team reported eight new cases, bringing the total positive cases of COVID-19 in PNG to 922. Of the eight new cases, one was from Morobe and the rest came from the Western Province.
Another 14 cases were reported yesterday in Madang and NCD. Madang reported 13 new cases while NCD one. The cases in Madang were reported through contact tracing and patients were all males, ages ranging from from 21 tp 46 years.
The 13 cases did not show symptoms of the COVID-19 virus at the time of testing but swab samples returned otherwise.