(Correct the grammar in par 8)
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The number of coronavirus infections in Papua New Guinea (PNG) rose by more than 10,000 on Wednesday, a worrying milestone for the country in the Pacific, as health officials worry that its fragile health system is in danger of being overwhelmed. to become.
PNG recorded 245 new cases in the 24 hours to noon on Tuesday and continued with a daily increase of more than 200, bringing the total to 10,197, although the number of reported deaths due to the coronavirus was steady at 91.
Contrary to previous updates showing most new cases near the capital, Port Moresby, the COVID-19 National Pandemic Response said the new infections had occurred in 17 of the country’s 22 provinces, causing a wider spread imply.
As PNG struggles with the increase in infections, the vaccination program, which relies on the global COVAX vaccine scheme, is also being delayed.
PNG, which has about 9 million inhabitants, has launched a modest vaccination program with a small number of doses sent by Australia, with orders for more under the COVAX program aimed at vaccinating countries in need.
“Our fight against the escalating COVID-19 outbreak is at a critical stage and I urge every citizen to strictly comply with the measures,” said Police Commissioner David Manning.
As elsewhere, PNG imposed movement restrictions and asked people to follow hygienic practices such as hand washing, masks and social distance.
But the outbreak, which began in recent weeks, has led to warnings from the World Health Organization as well as from neighboring Australia about alleged underreporting of infection rates.
“There is widespread and sustained transmission from the community,” Pamela Toliman, senior research fellow at the PNG Institute of Medical Research, said at a virtual conference.
“It is very challenging when people who know there is community transfer on the street do not wear masks and do not give up socially.”
(Posted by Byron Kaye and Colin Packham in Sydney Edited by Robert Birsel)