PNG registered nine new Covid-19 Delta variant cases

National

PAPUA New Guinea (PNG) registered nine Coronavirus (Covid-19) Delta variant cases last month, National Control Centre (NCC) Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom says.
“And there is a potential for a Covid-19 outbreak in Madang while we are still trying to identify the epidemiological links,” he said.
“As you are aware, Delta is in the country and we have done the timeline and the index case of the first local case in Madang.
“The woman is just over 30 years old and tested positive for the Covid-19 in April.
“After being re-tested last month, she retested positive again and, this time, for the Delta.
“She is still in isolation in Madang.”
Esorom also said a timeline would also be done for 20 remandees from the Jomba police cells who tested positive for the Covid-19 and ordered to be released by the Madang National Court.
“We have a team from NCC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) consisting of six to seven staff who are currently in Madang,” he said. “Our team is working with the PHA (provincial health authority) to make sure that we support them to ensure they have isolation facilities, clinically manage the cases on the ground.
“Because it is the first local Delta case, about 20 people have been rounded up for tests and contact tracing
“There are some links to other cases outside of Madang.
“We are also getting some reports of some other Delta cases.”
Esorom said Delta was already in the country with nine cases recorded so far.
“The important thing to do is for people to continuously adhere to the public health protocol measures,” he said.
“Continue to wear your mask, sanitise your hands and maintain physical distancing.”