Govt reviewing Covid-19 response strategy after spike in cases

The National National

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE Government has reviewed its Coronavirus (Covid-19) National Response Strategy on the back of surges in cases following the Independence Day celebrations, Prime Minister James Marape says.
“Details of the strategy and implementation will be revealed in two days’ time,” he added.
“Hospitals do not have the space to handle an outbreak and we are looking at provisions within our National Pandemic Act to see what can be done in relation to a clinical and non-clinical strategy.
“The State Solicitor has given clearance for a laboratory to be opened in Port Moresby for lab testing of gene sequencing which will be stepped up,” he added.
Marape said indications from the National Control Centre (NCC) showed a spike in Covid-19 cases nationwide, with traditional hotspots such as Western and border provinces also reporting cases.
“With the recent public gatherings, there is an indication of a possible spike. Medical advisory and scientific committee members will meet with the NCC to look at the statistics. We are also getting feedback from health authorities and provincial hospitals nationwide and that should indicate what is happening or the present status.
“With those information, the NCC should issue certain instructions soon. I am awaiting for the proper evidence in as far as statistics are concerned and where the influx or surge will take place.
“I appeal to Papua New Guineans to stop treating Covid-19 as a joke. We have lived with it for almost two years, all can see for themselves what Covid-19 can inflict. The recovery rate is above 90 per cent with the margin of five per cent migrating to Intensive Care Unit which is quite fatal.
“For the non-clinical strategy, it may entail the isolation strategy we once used when Covid-19 first surfaced in the country. It is for us to map out where it is present and for us to localise people in cities and home provinces without moving around so we can take stock of the surge.
“And if there is a need for both clinical and non-clinical strategy, the people will be informed. It is not a joke, there is evidence of the presence of high infectious and deadly Covid-19 Delta variant. There is emerging evidence that it could be spreading,” Marape said.