Covid-19 patient isolated

By JIMMY KALEBE
A CONFIRMED Covid-19 case in Lae, that of a Correctional Services (CS) officer at Buimo jail, has been isolated, according to CS commissioner Stephen Pokanis.
Pokanis said necessary help was given to the person.
“On a positive note, routine swabs have been done on persons who had contact with the person,” he said.
Pokanis said Buimo commanding officer Supt Judy Tara was working with her officers at the institution and health team in Morobe to ensure protocols were followed.
Internal and external consultations with the institution’s management team in consultation with health officers in Lae are going on now, he said .
According to Pokanis and Tara, contact tracing started with support from the rapid response team in the province.
“Officers at Buimo are now in constant dialogue with detainees and their relatives, as well as the relatives of the officer who was tested positive for the Covid-19.”
The confirmation brings the total to four the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Morobe.
Pokanis said CS would send one of its medical staff to Buimo to help the health officers at the institution.
“I have a team here at the headquarters and are keeping constant dialogue with Supt Tara in Buimo on the situation and we are working together to make sure this issue is addressed to the fullest,” he said.
Pokanis said Red Cross had been helping supply personal protective equipment (PPEs) to Buimo.
“At the national level, the national pandemic controller has released PPEs and officers at the headquarters are arranging logistics with coordination from the national pandemic centre to help airfreight these PPEs to correctional institutions around the country.”