Lack of testing makes it difficult to track Covid-19: Manning

IT is difficult to work out how far the Covid-19 has spread around the country because some provinces are yet to send back for testing samples on influenza-like illnesses, an official says.
National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning said while people might think that most cases were in Port Moresby, it could not be assumed that it had not spread to other parts of the country.
“This makes it difficult to know how far this virus has spread in the country,” Manning said.
“There are provinces reporting a high number of influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections.
“But they are yet to send samples for testing.”
He said each province had trained five people to collect specimens or do swabbing.
They were also advised to train other health workers to help them.
“So by now there should be many people trained to do swabbing,” he said.
He said provincial hospitals and district health facilities had cough triage areas for people who had influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections.
“All the provinces have enough personal protective equipment and consumables for the collection of specimens.
“If they do not, they should be calling the National Control Centre for these items,” he said.
Manning said it was now five months after the Covid-19 outbreak so all provinces should by now know what to do and the importance of testing.