Papua New Guinea recorded three new COVID-19 deaths this week, increasing the total number of deaths in the country to 139.
The three deaths were reported in three provinces – National Capital District, Western and Southern Highlands. Of the deaths, two were symptomatic and had existing medical conditions and were hospitalized, one of whom required a ventilator. They were aged 59, 70 and 74 years old.
Also for the same period a total of 136 new COVID-29 cases were reported including the three deaths. The new cases were reported in 15 provinces, with New Ireland province recording the highest number of 65. This was followed by the National Capital District with 15 cases, Western Highlands 12, Jiwaka 9, East New Britain and Gulf 7 cases each, Milne Bay 6, Morobe 4, Enga 3, Southern Highlands and Madang with 2 cases each, and East Sepik, Eastern Highlands, Hela and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) with one case each.
Of the 136 cases, 113 were males and 23 females. Their ages range from seven to 78 years old. At the time of testing, 55 were showing symptoms of COVID-19 and 19 had comorbidities. Five of the recent cases are health workers.
A total of 110,286 tests have been conducted thus far for COVID-19 nationwide. From this a total 14,341 were confirmed positive with 139 known deaths. Total recoveries to date is 11,282 with 920 cases active within the last 14-day period. All 22 provinces including the AROB have reported cases.
A total of 12,971 people in PNG have received the first dose of the AstraZenega vaccine. This includes 2,802 health workers and 10,169 essential workers. By province, the NCD has the highest number of people vaccinated with 7,215 followed by Morobe with 1,419.
Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 has reached 163,703,318 including 548,225 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is at 3,393,395 including 9,944 new deaths this week.