Equipment to boost testing

PNG will be able to better detect and prevent the spread of Covid-19 with the arrival of new testing equipment, according to the Australian High Commission.
PNG is one of 12 Pacific island countries to receive the GeneXpert testing equipment provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
It will improve in-country sample testing.
The GeneXpert system provides reliable results within 45 minutes.
More will supplied in the coming weeks.
This is in addition to the support already provided by Australia to roll out GeneXpert testing for other infectious diseases, alongside the global fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
Australia’s High Commissioner Jon Philp said they had been working with the PNG Government to improve local testing capacity, including reference testing in Australia when needed.
“This will make it easier for PNG to quickly identify the spread and areas at risk,” he said.
Australia also provided PNG with 6,000 collection kits (universal transport mediums) which are essential supplies for collecting samples and testing for the Covid-19.
Australia has strict protocols to mitigate the risk of spreading the Covid-19 in the region.