The COVID-19 virus, potentially the delta variant, is spreading quickly through Eastern Highlands Province.
PNGIMR Director, Prof William Pomat, has instituted measures to scale down operations, as staff test positive to the virus. Only essential staff will come to the office every day; other staff will work from home or come in on staggered hours.
Staff members who test positive or have a positive household member must remain at their house. IMR will test all staff without symptoms once a week.
If a staff member develops COVID-19 like symptoms, they must stay home and contact an IMR clinician who will go to their home to test and provide care.
These measures are in addition to existing rules about wearing facemasks and social distancing at the office. Only vaccinated staff are allowed to conduct research activities in clinics and communities.
Prof Pomat says, ‘The delta variant is extremely infectious. Even if you had COVID-19 before or have been vaccinated, you may be infected again.”
“PNGIMR performs an important role in the national and provincial COVID-19 responses.”
“I have instituted these measures to keep our staff and their families safe, so we can continue to do our work. I urge all unvaccinated IMR staff and members of the public to get vaccinated to avoid severe illness.”