China helps EHP reduce transmission

By DALE LUMA
THE Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation in “high-risk” Eastern Highlands is improving, using the “Chinese method” to control transmission, says Governor Peter Numu.
He described the “Chinese method” as “lockdown, identify cases, isolate, quarantine, apply treatment and at the same time roll the vaccines as optional for the people to take”.
Numu received K280,000 from Chinese ambassador Fanhua Zeng to help in the Covid-19 response.
“Eastern Highlands had been hit hard by the Covid-19, we have lost many lives – last month, around 127,” he said. “I believe the figure has increased.
“We lost public servants, businessman, leaders and reputable people in the province, those who have contributed significantly to upholding the economic growth of the province.” Numu said they had to adopt the approach and methods used by China to fight the Covid-19 transmission.
“We have seen a decrease in numbers,” he said. We studied it and the provincial government is now applying it. We have begun to see a drop in the cases.”
There are now only 13 Covid-19 patients in the hospital.
“We are continuing with the lockdown into the next 14 days,” he said. “It’s about three weeks now and we are expecting the result after one month – to cut the transmission.”
He thanked China for the assistance.
Fanhua said China was concerned about the situation in Eastern Highlands.
Chinese President Xi Jinping last month told Prime Minister James Marape that China would donate ventilators, oxygen generators and other medical equipment.