OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER
PNG COVID-19 National Pandemic Response
Joint Agency Task Force…
Media Statement – Saturday 1st May 2021
Papua New Guinea has recorded 56 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours ending 12 midday on Saturday May 1, increasing the total number of cases to 11,262.
The cases were reported from 13 provinces with the National Capital District reporting the highest of 12 cases followed by Madang with 11. The Gulf province reported 10 cases whilst Milne Bay recorded seven, Eastern Highlands six, Enga three followed by Morobe, Western Highlands, West New Britain, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Central, New Ireland and Hela who all reported a single case each.
Of the 56 cases, 27 are males, 26 females and three not stated. Their ages range between two to 70 years. At the time of testing, 45 cases were showing symptoms of COVID-19 whilst 11 were asymptomatic.
To date 93,283 samples have been collected of which 11,262 tested positive including the 115 deaths. A total of 9,698 people have recovered from COVID-19 whilst 1,449 cases remain active over the past 14-day period. A total of 1,000 tests are pending laboratory results.
Of the 11,262 confirmed cases of COVID-19:
• 7,149 are males;
• 3,946 are females;
• 5,541 are symptomatic;
• 2,308 had comorbidities;
• 375 needed to be hospitalized;
• 24 were placed on ventilation;
• 2,175 were contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases; and
• 1,131 were health care workers.
Globally, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 151,999,448 including 873,146 new cases reported in the last 24 hours. The death toll is 3,193,234 including 14,312 new deaths in the last 24 hours.
To date 3,000 people have been vaccinated from the 8,000 AstraZenega vaccine donated by the Australian Government. On Tuesday May 4 Prime Minister James Marape is expected to launch the country’s national vaccine roll-out program obtained through the COVAX arrangement. The nationwide vaccine roll-out program is set for Wednesday May 5.
A total of 103,725 people have been listed to be vaccinated in the first phase. They are either health care workers, support staff of both public and private health facilities, workers at quarantine and isolation facilities, students at health institutions such as nursing colleges and medical schools, prison guards, border and immigration/custom officers, seaport workers, airport/aviation officers, airline workers, police, Defence Force personnel and teachers.