COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea
The COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus was confirmed to have reached Papua New Guinea on 20 March 2020.[1] On 4 May, Papua New Guinea was declared COVID-19 free, however on 20 June, the government confirmed another case of COVID-19, meaning that the disease is now present again within the country.[2][3]
| COVID-19 pandemic in Papua New Guinea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Papua New Guinea |
| First outbreak | Wuhan, Hubei, China |
| Index case | Lae |
| Arrival date | 20 March 2020 |
| Confirmed cases | 11 |
| Recovered | 8 |
Deaths | 0 |
| Government website | |
| Health.gov.pg | |
Background
On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[4][5]
The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[6][7] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[8][6]
Timeline
March 2020
On 20 March, the first case in Papua New Guinea was confirmed.[1]
April 2020
On 7 April, Papua New Guinea confirmed its second case of COVID-19.[9]
On 16 April, the PNG government confirmed five new COVID-19 cases.[10]
On 23 April, an elderly woman of age 45 from Eastern Highlands Province was confirmed to be infected. The tally now stands at 8 cases in Papua New Guinea.
May 2020
On 4 May, acting Health Secretary Dr Paison Dakulala reported that all known cases have recovered, but stresses that they don't know what they are fighting. 2,400 tests have been carried out with the bulk in Port Moresby.[11]
June 2020
On 20 June, the PNG government confirmed its ninth COVID-19 case.[2]
On 25 June, PNG confirmed its tenth case of COVID-19, a 27-year old member of the PNG Defence Force.[12]
On 26 June, the PNG government confirmed its eleventh COVID-19 case.[13]
Prevention measures
The Government of Papua New Guinea banned all travellers from Asian countries and closed its border with Indonesia, taking effect from 30 January.[14][15] On 16 April, due to additional confirmed cases in the National Capital District (NCD) and the Western Province, the Emergency Controller issued National Emergency Order No.16, effectively locking down the NCD. The order established an 8pm-6am curfew, prohibited most public gatherings, limited groups to four people, banning public transportation, and suspending alcohol and Betel nut sales. The order also prohibits domestic air travel and closes public venues such as gambling halls, night clubs, sports and sports clubs, and religious services.
On 3 May, the curfew for the National Capital District and Central Province has been lifted, alcohol restrictions have been lifted. Gatherings remain banned, social distancing measures have to be enforced, and washing hands before entering church services is mandatory.[16]
On 5 May, the school reopened, however some schools required face mask and others have sent their students back again.[17]
No cases have been reported in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.[18]
References
- "PNG Confirms first Case of Coronavirus-COVID −19". Retrieved 20 March 2020.
- "An expatriate in Port-Moresby confirmed positive to COVID-19". postcourier.com.pg. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- "Data on COVID-19 transmission in the Country not clear". EM TV. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
- "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- "Live COVID-19 updates: PNG's 2nd COVID-19 cases sends entire province into lockdown, cases exceed 9,000 in Israel – Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- "Five New COVID Cases Confirmed Today". www.looppng.com. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- "Data on COVID-19 transmission in the Country not clear". EM TV. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "PNG's 10th Covid case 'evidence of local transmission'". RNZ. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
- "Eleventh covid case in PNG, army barracks". RNZ. 25 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
- "Pacific countries, already hard hit by epidemics, take extreme coronavirus measures". The Washington Post. 29 January 2020. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
- "PNG to ban all travelers from Asian countries as it steps up response to coronavirus outbreak". ABC News. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
- "No More curfew for NCD and Central Provinces : Manning". Papua New Guinea Facts. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Back to school". Loop Papua New Guinea. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Bougainville desperate to get samples to PNG for Covid-19 testing". Radio New Zealand. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
