Papua New Guinea has recorded its eighth death from Covid-19, a 49-year-old man from West New Britain.
Pandemic Response Controller David Manning said cases in PNG continued to increase as contact tracing was ongoing. Photo: EMTV
The man suffered from abdominal pains, a cough, headache and shortness of breath from 4 December, he died four days later.
Papua New Guinea now has 720 Covid 19 cases, with 36 new infections reported over the last 48 hours.
Thirty-five of the new cases are from West New Britain (WNB), while the National Capital District had one case.
Among the new cases reported in WNB, 34 are from Talasea District while one case is a nursing officer from Gloucester who is a contact of a previously-identified case.
The youngest of the new cases is an 8-year-old female while the oldest is a 62-year-old male.
Of the new cases, there are eight students, three nursing officers, two community health workers, an environmental health officer, a medical staff and a security guard.
Pandemic Response Controller David Manning said the cases continued to increase as contact tracing was ongoing.
"This is a reminder to all of us that the threat of Covid-19 remains in our communities and there is no room for complacency.
"Please continue to observe the Covid-19 health protocols. Use hand sanitisers or wash your hands regularly with soap. Wear a face mask when in a public space and avoid crowded places."
People should be responsible because the coronavirus was present, he said
"There is no cure so our best defence is by taking the necessary Covid-19 health protocols."