Control centre still in full operation

Molecular scientist at Central Public Health Laboratory Francis Lelgnei, conducting training on how to run the RT-PCR test, data analysis and interpretation to Mt Hagen Laboratory Team at Mt Hagen General Hospital. – Picture supplied

THE Coronavirus (Covid-19) National Control Centre (NCC) is still in full operation despite the closure of the National Capital District (NCD) health authority Covid-19 operations in the Rita Flynn Complex.
National Pandemic Response Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom said daily updates were still being circulated widely and managing the national pandemic response.
He said the 11 clusters of NCC were still conducting incident management, surveillance and rapid response, laboratory, risk communication and community engagement (RCCE), Niupla Pasin (new normal), clinical management, infection, control and prevention, vaccine and testing, partner coordination, provincial response coordination and the call centre.
“The laboratory team recently activated Mt Hagen PCR (polymerase chain reaction) laboratory and conducted trainings with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Health Department, Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) and other key partners.
“Mt Hagen has successfully performed the first batch of testing with 15 samples.
“These samples will be referred to CPHL for confirmation and genomic sequencing at Doherty Institute.
“All Highlands provinces are encouraged to continue testing per national testing algorithm and refer samples to Mt Hagen or CPHL as a surge laboratory.”
Meanwhile, the national and provincial RCCE teams are rolling out health care worker trainings in Gulf, Madang, West Sepik and East Sepik and supporting awareness and dissemination of preventive practice messages to mitigate the spread of the Covid-19 during General Election 2022.