Record number of COVID-19 cases in PNG

The number of daily COVID-19 infections in Papua New Guinea has reached a record high, with 295 cases recorded in a 24-hour period.

Abc.net.au reports the number of COVID-19 cases across PNG has tripled over the past month, with the country's major hospital reporting seven out of every 10 symptomatic patients are testing positive to coronavirus.

The surge is putting pressure on PNG's already vulnerable health system, with the Port Moresby General Hospital warning that the spike in COVID-19 cases will lead to an increase in unexpected deaths.

Australia has pledged to provide 8,000 vaccines to immunise frontline health workers in Papua New Guinea.

Australia's High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea John Philp said he expected them to arrive this week.

PNG is also making masks compulsory as it battles to control the outbreak.

90 percent of beds at the Port Moresby intensive care unit are full.

Abc.net.au reports a photo of a woman who died outside the Port Moresby General Hospital while receiving treatment for asthma has been widely shared on social media, putting a spotlight on the capital's stretched health facilities.

The hospital's chief executive officer Paki Molumi said investigations were underway into the death of the woman, and urged the public to view the photo as the "true situation" of the hospital's "overstressed and limited health workforce".

More than 40 patients are being treated for COVID-19 in the Port Moresby hospital, with some moved to the general ward as the isolation ward is full.

The hospital in Papua New Guinea's second main city of Lae has been forced to suspend services due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.

New restrictions, including closing provincial borders and making masks mandatory, will be enforced across the country from tomorrow.

A team of Australian medical workers is expected to land in PNG today to provide assistance and assess the need for further deployments.

[Source: abc.net.au]