Doc warns of mutation

National

A MEDICAL doctor has warned that the Covid-19 virus has a tendency to mutate and spread among people who had not displayed any symptoms.
Deputy director for PNG Institute of Medical Research Dr Clare Rock said during a panel discussion in Port Moresby on Saturday that people should exercise the safety measures in place.
“The symptoms easily spread between people who do not have it, but this is a manageable risk between people if safety protocols are adhered to,” she said.
“The vaccine boosts the immune system.”
Dr Rock was among other health experts who spoke at the Covid-19 talk session at the Catholic Bishops Conference in Port Moresby.
The talk organised by the Catholic Professional Society of PNG, was themed: “Informed for our well-being” and focused on testing and vaccines.
It was held virtually through online platform “Zoom” to connect with participants in the country and abroad.
Several other speakers connected via the Facebook page of Radio Maria PNG.
Speakers included Dr Moses Laman, deputy director PNGMRI Dr Clare Rock, associate professor of medicine from the John Hopkins School of Medicine, US, and paediatrician from the University of Papua New Guinea School of Medicine Prof John Vince.
Moderating discussions throughout was consultant and member of the Catholic professionals association Simon Anakapu.
Prof Vince stressed that the benefits of using the vaccine far outweighed its disadvantages and countered any moral dilemmas that people might have, particularly now that its younger generation were contracting the virus.
“Papua New Guinea is a young country and the bulk of its population is comprised of young people, and through whom the Covid-19 was silently circulating and now it has struck,” he said.
He revealed how our people, even in the prime of their working lives, had died from the Covid-19 virus.
“These were perfectly healthy people who died from the infection at the age range of 24 to 60s, and this makes the situation more serious,” Prof Vince said.