Covid-19 claims 11 lives in EHP, says official

EASTERN Highlands lost 11 lives and had 98 Coronavirus (Covid-19) infections this month, provincial health authority chief executive officer Dr Joseph Apa revealed.
“We are still updating the statistics for the weekend.
“The figures were last updated on Thursday and we anticipate further increases by the month’s end,” he told The National.
He said there were 16 deaths from March to May and the positive cases reduced to two patients by August but on Sept 3 there a new case reported.
“Within five to six days after that, the cases started increasing to Thursday when we recorded the 11 deaths and 98 positive cases.
“There were three young men who died.
“They were diagnosed positive and suspected to have been infected by the Delta variant.
“Their samples were sent to Australia and we are awaiting the results,” Dr Apa said.
He said the 40-bed Goroka Hospital Covid-19 isolation ward was full with patients tested positive on the spot.
Dr Apa said mild cases were treated immediately and allowed to leave for home isolation and advised to exercise the new normal health protocols to prevent the virus from spreading.
“The surge is suspiciously triggered by people from other provinces flooding into the province for the cancelled Goroka Show that was scheduled to be staged in University of Goroka where 10 cases were confirmed.
“The nightclubs are still operating, street preaching and street comedy are continuing.
“We are anticipating further increases of Covid-19 cases before the end the month (Thursday),” Dr Apa said.