Papua New Guinea has reported its largest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases over a 24-hour period with two more deaths.
The National Pandemic Response Controller reported 351 new cases, raising the national total confirmed cases to 4,109.
Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape addresses media regarding PNG's surge in covid-19 cases, 23 March 2021 Photo: PNG PM Media
This is an increase of 1,021 cases over a period of six days; two more people have died, raising the toll to 39.
Community transmission of the coronavirus is described by Prime Minister James Marape as being rife.
A nationwide isolation strategy began this week, with restrictions on public movement, and mandatory use of face masks.
A first batch of AstraZeneca covid vaccines have arrived in PNG, sent by Australia.
Vaccination is targeted initially at frontline health workers who have figured highly among the confirmed cases.
The Controller, David Manning, said that so far 60,680 people in PNG had been tested for Covid-19.
Given the limited number of testing, the real figure of how many Papua New Guineans are infected by covid is expected to be significantly higher.
The samples pending results at the laboratory stand at 2,539.
"Vaccines alone will not end the pandemic," Manning said.
"We must continue to adhere to the health measures that we have been talking about for some time such as wearing masks, physical distancing, frequent hand-washing, avoiding crowds or limiting time spent in enclosed spaces."
