Covid deaths rise to 67

CORONAVIRUS deaths continue to climb in Papua New Guinea with six fatalities recorded at noon on Monday, boosting the country’s death toll to 67.
The deaths were reported in the National Capital District (NCD), New Ireland and Morobe, with the country’s total infections up by 368 new cases to 7,406.
The NCD reported three deaths – two men aged 28 and 65, and a 45-year-old woman, Morobe had two deaths – a 70-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man lost his battle with Covid-19 in New Ireland.
PNG Covid-19 National Pandemic Response spokesman Chief Supt Dominic Kakas said in a media release that Northern reported its first Covid-19 infections – three cases, two men and a woman aged between 37 and 60.
He said two cases were asymptomatic and one showed Covid-19 symptoms at the time of testing.
To date, the NCD has recorded 52 deaths, Morobe and West Sepik had three deaths each. West New Britain, Western Highlands and Western reported two deaths each with Enga, Jiwaka and New Ireland reported a death each.
Globally, the total confirmed cases is at 130,422,190, including 662,690 new cases.
The death toll is at 2,842,135 of which 10,173 were new cases.
Pandemic Controller and Police Comm David Manning said it was very important that the people embraced the Covid-19 public health protocols to contain and stop the spread of the virus.
“There is no cure for Covid-19,” he said.
“The only way now to stop yourself or your loved ones from getting the virus is to wear face masks, regularly wash or sanitise your hands, maintain a physical distance of 1.5m and avoid crowds.”
PNG’s Covid-19 status as at noon Monday, April 5, are:

• NCD – 3,059 (52 deaths);
• Western – 1,962 (two deaths);
• West Sepik – 349 (three deaths);
• Morobe – 348 (three deaths);
• Eastern Highlands – 302;
• ENB – 271;
• WNB – 214 (two deaths);
• WHP – 194 (two deaths);
• ARoB – 105;
• Central – 93;
• New Ireland – 90 (one death);
• East Sepik – 72;
• Madang – 71;
• Southern Highlands – 66;
• Chimbu – 65;
• Enga – 58 (one death);
• Jiwaka – 33 (one death);
• Hela – 25;
• Gulf – 13;
• Milne Bay – 13; and,
• Northern – 3.