PM: 90pc of deaths from Covid unvaccinated

PRIME Minister James Marape says more than 90 per cent of the 436 people who have died so far from the Coronavirus (Covid-19) were not vaccinated, describing the statistics as “scary”.
He said the focus should now be more on “prevention efforts”.
Marape said many of those who had died were working class people.
The prevalence rate of the Covid-19 in PNG is between 20 and 30 per cent.
“Our statistics are very scary,” he said.
“In 2020, we took stock of the ICU (intensive care units) and we had only 200 beds.” Marape was advised then that five per cent of every 100,000 people who could contract the Covid-19 would need ICU care.
During a meeting at the National Control Centre, health experts advised that the strategy on addressing the Covid-19 had to be changed – from stopping the virus from entering the country to preventing its transmission.
The focus was given to vaccination, personal protective equipment and oxygen.
He said around 340,000 citizens and residents in PNG had been vaccinated already.
Marape blamed the Covid-19 misinformation spread by people, including political elements which was bad for the country.
“We play with most sensitive issue that not just affects one life but lives of people, and the economic life of our country,” he said.
“We must rise and show responsibility when the national life is at stake.”