St John Ambulance prepares to fight Covid-19

By FOLKEN WAKO
THE St John Ambulance (SJA) PNG is working closely with the Health Department and other stakeholders in preparation and to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus in the country, SJA commissioner Matt Cannon says.
Cannon told The National that SJA had been preparing since January in case of an outbreak and to ensure that control procedures used by ambulance officers were current and standard.
“Since late January, our ambulance officers have been rehearsing infection control measures for if they are required to transport a person with acute respiratory infection suspected to be coronavirus,” he said.
“We are working closely with the Health Department and other stakeholders like WHO (World Health Organisation) to ensure the infection control procedures used by our ambulance officers are current as more evidence comes to hand.”
In the meantime, Cannon advised people to use preventive measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
“There is a need for sensible measures and preparation,” he said.
“People should be taking general steps to prevent the spread of viruses by washing their hands, covering their cough, cleaning surfaces, and keeping a distance away from those who are sick.”
As the virus is spreading rapidly throughout the world, the uncertainty of it reaching PNG is at large.
Serious measures have been taken by the Health Department and other partners to ensure it does not reach PNG.