PNG under threat to Delta strain

NEWS of the Covid-19 Delta strain recorded in Papua New Guinea should not be taken lightly.
The Delta strain, or Delta mutation as it is also called, is extremely serious.
It is many, many more times contagious than previous Covid-19 strains – including the strains currently known to be in PNG.
The Covid-19 Delta strain is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths in India in the past few months.
This is now causing destruction and loss of life in Fiji, and it is the Delta strain that has placed Sydney in lockdown.
In PNG, the National Control Centre has been tracking the spread of the Covid-19 Delta mutation.
In response to the escalated risk, the Government has introduced much stricter border control measures.
These stricter controls at the borders have been introduced for a very good reason, and this has proven to be the right course of action.
It is important to note that PNG’s strict border control measures have insured this case was detected before the Delta strain could spread into our community.
The National Control Centre will continue to maintain these strict control measures, as such, there will be no change to border control measures at this point.
Ongoing cargo shipping is essential for our economy and goods for our people and businesses.
This must be properly balanced with public health and safety as the priority.
There has been collaboration between the Transport department and the shipping and port stevedoring industries.
PNG has in place a ‘Contactless Port Call’ procedure that provide a stringent quality control around Covid-19 Safety protocols.
Border control measures will continue to be reviewed as the Covid-19 situation in our region and around the world continues to evolve.
Keeping the Covid-19 Delta strain out of PNG is an almost impossible task, but the Government will not relax.
The Government through the National Control Centre says they will continue to do all they can to keep this dangerous strain out of our country, and in a worst case scenario, delay its entry and spread for as long as we can.
Sadly more than 100 other countries have lost this fight and the Delta strain spreading through their communities.
This includes countries with very strict border controls such as Australia where a crisis is unfolding.
We are of the same view with the Government that vaccination is the only solution.
The Covid-19 Delta strain is dangerous because of the way it spreads so quickly through the community.
Once it does, then hospitals will quickly become overloaded and that is why there are mass deaths occurring in places such as India.
The only way to not become seriously ill or die from Covid-19, particularly the Delta strain, is to be vaccinated.
A recent survey found that 62 per cent of Papua New Guineans do not think they will catch Covid-19, and that is why they have not come forward to be vaccinated.
As we all watch the number of deaths continue to rise in Fiji, in India and right around the world, we should take this as a wake up call for us all to vaccinate.
The only way for our people to survive Covid-19 is through vaccination.
Let us not be too complacent.