Eighty-four new cases of COVID-19 were reported as of Wednesday 10th of March 2021, bringing the country’s total number of COVID-19 cases to 1,819.
72 cases out of the 84 cases reported are from the nation’s capital, NCD.
The isolation ward for COVID-19 patients at Port Moresby General Hospital is now full and many of the staff at PMGH are among those sick with COVID-19.
Long serving staff and senior gynecologist at PMGH Professor, Glen Mola, posted on social media, urging people to listen and take serious heed of the health measures in the new normal, saying the COVID-19 ward is full at PMGH is now full.
“Patients are dying of COVID-19 every day. We are trying to look after COVID-19 patients in other wards because there is no space in the COVID ward,” Professor Mola said.
Professor Mola, 20 percent of women in the maternity wing presenting with pregnancy problems or are in labor are also testing positive for COVID-19.
Dr Mola added that health workers who are attending to COVID-19 patients are getting infected with COVID-19 whilst carrying out their duties.
10 health workers had to be isolated last week and authorities are concerned that if this trend continues, it could lead to the closure of the hospital.
Collectively health workers across NCD are saying, the cases being seen now are more serious than what they saw last year.
As of Wednesday 10th March, the country’s total confirmed cases increased to 1,819 and total number of deaths remains at 21.
Of the 84 new cases, 72 are from the National Capital District, 2 are from Morobe, 1 in East New Britain, 3 in Eastern Highlands and 6 were reported in Enga.
The total confirmed cases for all provinces that have so far reported cases are:
· NCD – 830
· Western – 324
· West New Britain – 197
· West Sepik – 159
· Morobe – 55
· Madang – 43
· Autonomous Region of Bougainville – 39
· East New Britain – 39
· Eastern Highlands – 27
· Western Highlands – 24
· New Ireland Province – 23
· Central – 20
· East Sepik – 15
· Enga – 10
· Jiwaka – 8
· Southern Highlands – 3
· Milne Bay – 2
· Hela – 1
Controller of the National Pandemic Response, David Manning, is appealing to people to adhere to the New Normal or Niupela Pasin and wear facemasks at all times especially in public spaces, avoid crowded places, practice physical distancing by standing or sitting 1.5m to 2m from the next person, cover your mouth when coughing and wash your hands often.
If there is no water, use sanitizers frequently.
Manning is also appealing to people to avoid going out of their homes if they are feeling unwell so as to minimise the spread of the disease
Globally, total confirmed cases have reached 116,874,912 by Wednesday this week, of which 2,597,381 have died.
