Pacific / Papua New Guinea

Sixty three more Covid-19 cases in PNG as surge continues

16:59 pm on 5 March 2021

Papua New Guinea has recorded 63 new cases of Covid-19, taking the country's total number of infections to 1429.

The latest cases were reported in Morobe province, West Sepik, East Sepik, Western Province and in the National Capital District.

44 of the cases were in the NCD, eight of which are contacts of previously known cases.

Earlier in the week, two more cases were also announced in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

The latest cases there come as the Bougainville President, Ishmael Toroama, considers whether to implement a 14 day lockdown to try and stem a surge of coronavirus infections there.

PNG Pandemic Response Controller, David Manning Photo: EMTV

Meanwhile PNG's National Pandemic Controller, David Manning, said citizens should continue to observe all precautionary measures in what he called the "New Normal".

Manning said regular washing of hands, sanitising, the wearing of face masks and keeping a physical distance of at least 1.5 metres was necessary at all times.

There have been 16 fatal cases of the coronavirus in PNG.