Another case of Covid-19 has been detected in Papua New Guinea, taking the country's total to 10.
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape (right) updates media on the countries covid-19 response, alongside the Emergency Controller, Police Commissioner David Manning. Photo: PNG PM Media
Police Commissioner David Manning said the new case was a 27-year old member of the PNG Defence Force, who works at the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby.
The case was picked up during mass testing of staff at the barracks where PNG's 9th case was recorded last week in a visiting Australian soldier.
"The identification of this case provides evidence of local transmission in Port Moresby and the risk is very high that more cases may be identified in the coming days. Papua New Guineans need to take responsibility and remain vigilant to stop the chain of transmission," Mr Manning said.
"The country needs to work together to apply the 'Niupela Pasin' or the 'new normal'. This will involve changing our old ways of doing things and replacing them with behaviours and actions to reduce risk of getting infection.
The Commissioner has urged people in the PNG capital to maintain social distancing and avoid mass gatherings.
Meanwhile, Mr Manning said that PNG's 9th Covid-19 case had safely returned to Australia.