Western and East Sepik to be locked down

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Western and East Sepik to be locked down

PORT MORESBY: Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s Pandemic Response Controller David Manning says Western and East Sepik are to be placed under lockdown to help prevent the spread of the highly infectious and deadlier Coronavirus (Covid-19) Delta variant in the country.

He said the announcement to impose the lockdown would likely be made on Friday (Sept 17, 2021).

Meanwhile, a surge in Covid-19 in Eastern Highlands  has claimed four lives and Goroka Hospital is seeing an increase in admissions.

The annual Goroka Show, scheduled for Friday to Sunday (Sept 17 to to 19, 2021), was forced to be cancelled.

Eastern Highlands administrator John Gimiseve, who is also the province’s pandemic response controller, said 16 people dfied and more than 50 people were admitted to the hospital between March and April.

Several reports on Covid-19 updates were published by The National:

Provinces to undergo lockdown

September 15, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
PANDEMIC Response Controller David Manning says Western and West Sepik will soon be in lockdown as the National Control Centre (NCC) attempts to stop the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Delta variant.
Manning told The National that a final report was with him now and if he was comfortable with recommendations and findings, he would announce the lockdown, perhaps on Friday.
The announcement from Manning comes as people look forward to the Independence anniversary celebrations tomorrow.
Manning, who is the Police Commissioner, said while people would be celebrating and putting on shows and concerts, he wanted them to be mindful of the Covid-19.
“There is a high risk of a rise in Covid-19 cases and my advice to everyone across the country would be to celebrate at home, however, should you want to go out with your families and celebrate, it is at your own risk,” he said. He said tests should be conducted for those who wished to leave Western and West Sepik prior to boarding any flight.
“New directives (control measures) will be announced as well,” Manning said.
Until last Thursday, the country had 30 Delta cases, of which Western recorded 22; National Capital District 7; and, Madang 1, and the samples of 79 cases reported a fortnight ago were still awaiting the genome sequencing results.
Another 83 samples was sent for genome sequencing on Monday.
West Sepik and Western are experiencing a spike in cases with more than 30 reported between the provinces last week.

Goroka Show cancelled due to surge in Covid-19 cases

September 15, 2021The NationalMain Stories

A SURGE in the Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Eastern Highlands has resulted in four deaths and increasing number of admissions at the Goroka Hospital which has forced the cancellation of the popular annual Goroka Show, an official says.
In a statement yesterday, the Eastern Highlands administrator John Gimiseve, who is also the province’s pandemic response controller, said 16 people died and more than 50 people were admitted to the hospital from Covid-19 between March and April.
He said the situation subsided from June to last month.
“However, in the first two weeks of September (3-12) alone, 24 new cases and four deaths were recorded in the hospital,” Gimiseve said.
“That is very alarming and serious for our province.
“We understand and acknowledged that a lot of time, preparation, commitment by individuals, groups, communities and business houses have been made towards the iconic event.
“However, it is with regret that the show will not proceed as scheduled given our current Covid-19 situation in the province.
“As we speak, our hospital does not have the capacity to manage over 20 critically-ill Covid-19 cases.
“The hospital’s capacity to effectively deal with such is stretched to the maximum. The Covid-19 and its recent (Delta) variant are also unpredictable.
“To further complicate the situation, our population in general are not adhering to the new normal measures.
“Even the vaccine uptake among our frontline population in the province at 33 per cent is risky.
“The huge number of unvaccinated population accessing the show places a greater risk and will culminate in enormous calamity after the show.
“In light of all the above, I have no choice but to immediately stop the Goroka Show.”
“I cannot and I will not take the risk of compromising the people’s health.”
Gimiseve said this also meant that all other public events that attracted a congregation of people should also be put off until further notice.

US to give K13 million for Covid-19

September 15, 2021The NationalNational

THE United States (US) government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced a funding of US$3.8 million (K13.31 million) urgent Coronavirus (Covid-19) assistance for Papua New Guinea as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
The US Embassy, in a statement, said the assistance would help accelerate widespread and equitable access to and delivery of safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines, strengthen health systems and support other public health measures to prevent the spread of the virus and recent emergence of the Delta variant in Papua New Guinea.
“Papua New Guinea is working hard to address the challenges caused by the pandemic within its communities,” US ambassador to PNG, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Erin McKee said.
“This assistance from the American people underscores our enduring partnership and commitment to combat this unprecedented global health crisis together.”

Businesses told to work with NCC

September 15, 2021The NationalNational

BUSINESSES in the country will from now on work in close consultation with the National Control Centre (NCC) on specific workplace safety protocols relating to the Coronavirus (Covid-19), Prime Minister James Marape says.
Marape revealed this yesterday at a breakfast meeting while speaking to the business community.
The meeting was organised by the PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry in conjunction with the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Marape said business houses would have to “tailor-make” their specific Covid-19 protocols and get the endorsement of NCC to make it operational for their workplaces.
Speaking on Covid-19 and workplace vaccination, an issue that had been topical over the last couple of weeks, Marape emphasised the bigger government policy of non-compulsory vaccination.
However, while doing so, Marape also acknowledged the need for the continuous flow of business for the long-term survival of the country’s economy.