WHO predicts Covid surge

By LULU MARK
A SURGE of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) is expected if people do not take precautions and adhere to the control measures during the election period, a doctor says.
Dr Anup Gurunf, from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) country office, said a surge would leave the vulnerable members of the population which included older people and those with underlying medical conditions at risk of developing severe illness, hospitalisation and death.
He said the Delta surge last year had increased the mortality in these vulnerable groups but the variant which was prevalent now was Omicron.
He said although most Omicron positive cases would experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring specialised treatment, the vulnerable groups were still at risk.
He said because of low testing rates in the country fewer cases were reported although there was high community transmission from January to February.
“We are still having community transmission but we don’t know much about the pandemic because testing in PNG has really gone low,” Gurunf said.
“Omicron basically spread from January to February almost to the all of Highlands.
“By June I expect that all the provinces will have Omicron too.
“When nobody tests nobody knows. They think it’s a normal flu but when it hits the vulnerable, the mortality can be high.”
Gurunf urged young people to be mindful of the older people in their families and take heed of the Niupela Pasin when engaging in the election gatherings.
He said a person with Covid-19 could infect at least three to five people.
He said if gatherings were unavoidable people needed to take precautions such as mask wearing, sanitising hands and getting vaccinated.
Only 30 per cent of health workers in PNG were vaccinated and the country had the lowest Covid-19 vaccine coverage in the western Pacific region.
He said lack of adherence to control measures with low vaccination rates coupled with low testing was a serious concern at the moment as the country headed into its general election.

PNGDF medics undergo training to prepare for election

A medical team from the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) has been undergoing advance combat first aid training to prepare for the general election.
About 20 participants from Port Moresby based units, who would form the medical team, were expected to complete the training from Taurama Barracks at the end of this week.
PNGDF director of health services Lt-Col Dr Peter Kaminiel urged the medics to be serious in the training as it would prepare them for deployment during the election.
“When in line of duty, it is your responsibility to ensure soldiers are attended to when theirs is casualty,” he said.
Kaminiel said this election would not be like the others.
The two weeks course was provided by the Australian Defence Force medical team.

Manus ready for election

POLICE on Manus have reminded people to choose leaders in the election who will deliver services.
Provincial police commander Chief Inspector David Yapu said they were prepared to deliver the election.
He added that the province’s pre-election security operation started last month where police officers in the province carried out election awareness in Lorengau town.
Yapu said the rolling out of awareness was necessary while waiting for election funding from the provincial government and police headquarters in Port Moresby.
“Funding and logistical support remain our biggest challenges.
“We have three police boats and five aging vehicles but this has not stopped us from carrying out our roles as police officers,” he said.
Yapu said manpower on the other hand was a challenge as there were 50 police personnel and the total population of the province was about 80,000.
He added that there would be a final election workshop that will be conducted after the issuing of writs on offences to ensure officers knew their boundaries and remained neutral and professional.

Mendi residents urged to respect public property

By PETER WARI
MENDI town mayor Angelus Michael says people from Southern Highlands must respect the provincial capital during the general election and not destroy private and public properties.
He said he believes many had learned their lesson and changed their attitudes after violence and disruptive behaviour at the 2017 elections had affected services and businesses.
He said for the first time, solar street lights had been installed around the town and called on town residents and people from the district not to remove or damage them.
“Such small things will attract investors and change the mindset of the people,” Michael said.
“Development changes do not happen overnight, it comes slowly bit by bit and the street lighting has given hope to many people.
“People must take ownership and prevent others from destroying the lights as it improves safety by allowing pedestrians and motorists to see each other at night and adds to personal safety and aesthetics,” he said.
He also urged colleague LLG presidents in the five districts to carryout awareness for a free, fair and safe election, and for the people to look after government services in the area.