Doc concerned over low testing rate

By LULU MARK
ONLY around 50,000 people out of an estimated population of 10 million in the country have been tested for the Covid-19, which an officials says is “very low”.
Covid-19 National Control Centre (NCC) incident manager Dr Daoni Esorom told The National that people must go for testing so that the true Covid-19 status in the country could be determined.
“The testing rate (0.5 per cent) is very low. It is a very big concern,” Dr Esorom said.
In Australia by comparison, the testing rate is between 20 (Western Australia) and 50 per cent (Victoria). It is around the same rate in New Zealand.
Prime Minister James Marape this week had also called on everyone, especially those in the provinces, to go for a test.
But Dr Eserom said despite the reminders, “people are not going for testing”.
“The provincial health authority boards and chief executive officers need to step up and do their job,” he said.
There is a surge in the number of cases, with more than 200 recorded this month – the highest monthly figure so far.
As of last night, the national total reached 1,139, including 11 Covid-19-related deaths.
He said there were surges in cases in East New Britain, the National Capital District, Madang, Western and West Sepik. It includes a large number of health workers, and people working in closed environments such as mines.
“A large-scale population-level testing remains low (around the country), with a few health facilities swabbing symptomatic patients and reporting test results on a regular basis.”
East New Britain, Madang and West Sepik are in a Stage 2 localised community transmission.
Seventeen of the 22 provinces including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have reported at least one Covid-19 case since March 2020.

Police HQ, station await Covid-19 test results

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE Gordon police station will be reopened once the results of the Covid-19 tests on the officers are released, says assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Wagambie Jr.
He is the police commander for the National Capital District and Central.
The station underwent a disinfection exercise on Tuesday after one officer had tested positive for the Covid-19.
He told The National that the station was closed with no one allowed to enter.
“We are awaiting the results of the tests before we open the station,” he said.
On Monday, a police officer based at the station had a positive test result. The police headquarters at Konedobu was also closed for disinfection after Police Commissioner David Manning tested positive last weekend.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Donald Yamasombi said the police headquarters and the Gordon police station would be closed until today, Thursday.

Kina Bank building forced to close after Covid-19 report

By DALE LUMA
THE Kina Bank in downtown Port Moresby was put on 24-hour lockdown for a Covid-19 clean-up exercise, according to chief executive officer Greg Pawson.
The bank will be resume business at 11am today.
Pawson told The National that the lockdown was necessary because of a positive Covid-19 case from one of the tenants occupying the building.
“We have enacted our business continuity plan and is very much business as usual,” Pawson said.
“We have alternate sites at Harbour City and Waigani.”
Pawson said all Kina Bank branches were operating.
“We were notified this morning (yesterday) by the building management of Kina Bank Haus that a Covid-19 case was reported by another company operating in the building,” he said.
As a precautionary measure, the building had to be closed for 24 hours for cleaning to take place.
“We understand this is an isolated incident and that building management is following a standard safety protocol,” he said.
“This hasn’t impacted Kina Bank staff or the business. All our branches remain open and it is business as usual.” ​

Manning orders use of Rita Flynn complex

By LULU MARK
NATIONAL Pandemic Controller and Police Comm David Manning has directed the use of the Rita Flynn Complex for the Covid-19 response.
“I am issuing this directive under the National Pandemic Act 2020 and all other enabling powers, for the purpose of the Covid-19 Pandemic, including to control and mitigate the impact of the outbreak. The PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF) is directed to relinquish to the National Capital District Health Authority (NCDHA) the usage, access and occupation of Rita Flynn Complex,” Manning said.
“This directive comes into effect on Wednesday Feb 24 and continues to be in force during the period of the declaration of a pandemic made by the Governor-General on June 17, 2020,” he added.
NCDHA acting chief executive officer Ken Wai told The National that an order was signed on Tuesday at the request of the National Control Centre.
“The health sector, including NCDHA, owes them (PNGSF) money for the use of their properties last year and we are in discussion but this is a national emergency, so the Controller still has powers,” he said.
“To move in and operate the facility is not a problem. (But) we need money to recruit additional staff, logistics and other operational costs to manage the facility,” Wai said.

PNG records new Covid-19 death in NCD

PAPUA New Guinea has recorded another Covid-19 death in the National Capital District bringing the total number of deaths to 11, the office of the National Pandemic Controller says.
In a statement, it said a 67-year-old male from NCD was admitted to Port Moresby General Hospital’s intensive care unit on Feb 21 until his death.
The controller’s office confirmed last night that 28 new cases were reported – 20 in Western and eight in NCD.
In NCD, four males and four females between the ages of 24 to 54 were tested positive.
Five cases showed symptoms of Covid-19 whilst three were asymptomatic at the time of testing.
Five of the eight cases came into contact with a previous positive case.
In the Western, 17 males and three females between the ages of 26 to 59 were confirmed positive.
Four of the 20 cases were into contact with previous positive cases.
Meanwhile, four MPs have tested positive for the Covid-19, according to Health Minister Jelta Wong last night.
He did not reveal their names but confirmed that they were now “in isolation”.
It could not be confirmed too if the four were included in the 34 cases reported on Tuesday.
The country’s total Covid-19 cases to date is 1,139 with 11 deaths.
Globally, the total confirmed cases of Covid-19 has reached 111,419,939 including 280,853 new cases reported in the last 24 hours.

Hospital to continue normal services, says Dr Molumi

THE Port Moresby General Hospital will continue to provide normal services despite the surge in the Covid-19 cases in the city, says chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi.
“With the scaling down of the Gerehu Hospital due to the Covid-19, PMGH will be more stressed,” he said.
“Overcrowding (poses) a potential risk of spreading the virus. The hospital will continue providing normal services as there is no other health facility like PMGH in the city.”
He said strict Covid-19 protocols were in place to protect patients and hospital staff.
“The PMGH activated its surge plan last week to cater for increased cases and also take on the role of Rita Flynn in managing mild to moderate cases,” he said.
“The public is encouraged to adhere to all Covid-19 protocols when visiting the hospital.”
The hospital serves more than a million residents of Port Moresby, Central, Gulf plus referrals from other hospitals around the country.
It provides a 24-hour emergency service and theatre services. The labour ward deals with between 50 and 60 deliveries a day.
Meanwhile, a team from the Health Department and the World Health Organisation (WHO) is in Madang to assist with the outbreak response.
Madang reported 35 cases in two weeks with Governor Peter Yama telling the provincial health authority to contain the surge.
The team also conducted training for 30 staff on infection prevention and control and the Covid-19 epidemiology.
The business community in Madang is supporting the Wash and community awareness activities.