Killer Delta

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By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE stench of death is overwhelming as the three hospital attendants opened the containers containing the bodies of those who died from the Coronavirus (Covid-19) at the Goroka Hospital, Eastern Highlands.
Nine to 15 people die each day in Goroka and its seven other districts. The figures are yet to be relayed to the National Control Centre (NCC).
The 40 beds are all occupied. Some patients have to sit on chairs to be given oxygen.
Three children under the age of five are also fighting for their lives in the isolation ward.
Sister Lynette Baba, in charge of the Covid-19 isolation ward, told The National that they were struggling daily to help patients.
“We had 16 staff working to save 40 to 50 people a day, (but) now we have 30 nurses coming in to the ward,” she said.
Governor Peter Numu announced the two-week lockdown to try to contain the Covid-19 transmission. Provincial administrator/controller John Gimiseve said tests would be conducted at the entrances to Goroka at Kassam and Daulo.
“Roadblocks will be set up in the eight districts with the disciplined forces assisting the surveillance team to check on travelers,” Numu said.
“There will be an isolation centre built at the National Sports Institute to ensure those who tested positive are kept there in isolation.”
A body bag lay on a stretcher outside the container. Relatives of the deceased people, some covered in black ashes or red clay, mourn. They know they cannot touch the body of their loved one.
One man said he was sad that he could not give his late cousin a proper send-off.

Morgue attendants at Goroka Base Hospital, in Eastern Highlands placing a body into a casket to be buried on Saturday as per the Covid-19 protocols. No relative was allowed to handle the body or casket of people who died of Covid-19. – Nationalpic by MIRIAM ZARRIGA

“I can’t tell you my name as many assumed that my cousin died of other superstition powers. But I was informed of his medical diagnosis,” he said.
“I watched him fade away before my eyes. The family members have quietly farewelled him. We have selected a casket for him and now we can prepare a burial plot as he is laid to rest by hospital officials.”
Provincial Health Authority chief executive officer Dr Joseph Apa said no family member was allowed to handle the body.
“When a person dies, our attendants (take the body) to the morgue, and we tell the family to provide a casket,” he said.
“Once a burial plot is selected by the family and forms are filled, the body is placed into the casket. Hospital staff dressed in PPEs take the casket back to the village, put it into the ground, cover it up, and that’s it.”
Morgue attendant David Awo said since the beginning of September, many bodies had been brought to the morgue.
“I have never seen this happen in my years of operating as the morgue man. This is every day. We hear the sirens and we know it’s either an emergency or someone is being brought to the morgue.
“All we can do is put the body into body bags and put them into the two containers.”
On Friday evening, sirens can be heard all over Goroka.
The ambulances are there to assist a victim or remove a body. Families ask the hospital for an ambulance to assist them. By the time the ambulance gets to the family home, sometimes it is too late.