Marape gets booster shot, urges citizens to heed science

PRIME Minister James Marape received the Coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine booster shot yesterday, and urged people to heed science and research.
“People the world over are lining up for the booster shots and it is incumbent on my Government to give our people access to leading science and research (on the Covid-19 vaccines),” Marape said.
Joining him for the booster shots were Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua, Health Minister Jelta Wong and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird.
“The direction from the pandemic controller was clear, supported by the secretary for Health last week, (that) the vaccines are here for our benefit.
“I urge all our people to get vaccinated,” Marape said.
Meanwhile, Wong has received reports of an impending surge at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) with positivity rates reaching over 50 per cent in the past week.
Wong said the surge was to be expected given the big gatherings during the Christmas period.
National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning had told The National earlier that there was an increase in testing and surveillance of the Covid-19 at the Port Moresby General Hospital.
He said of every seven patients tested, five were positive and had been admitted.
All are under 30 years old.
“Further delineation for particular variant will be organised through overseas testing.
“Two were among new admissions for surgical conditions also.
“This may imply community transmission on a larger scale since the third surge settled last November,” Manning said.
“It is not surprising should this testing rate increase in coming days given the festive season celebrations and other major events in the recent weeks.
“We are elevating our surveillance and testing measures at PMGH.”