Saturday March 27th 2021
By MALUM NALU
Health Secretary Dr Osborne Liko today announced an alarming 2394 new COVID-19 cases over the last seven days (click to watch video below).
Dr Liko, at a joint press conference with Pandemic Controller David Manning, said the number of COVID-19 cases had almost doubled from 2790 last Saturday.
The total number of COVID-19 cases stood at 5184 today.
Dr Liko said these were not the “absolute figures” from around the country, but “nevertheless, the figures we have are real, and give an overall snapshot of the real situation we have on the ground”.
There were nine COVID-19 deaths this week which brought the total number of fatalities to 45.
“COVID is not a joke, COVID is here to stay,” Dr Liko said.
“Nation, people of this country, everybody, all the stakeholders have to take this very seriously.
” It’s not a joke.”
As the COVID-19 cases rise:
- The 18 Intensive Care Unit beds at Port Moresby General Hospital are full to capacity;
-Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae is closed with 60 per cent of staff infected by COVID-19; and - The 39 Rita Flynn Court beds in Port Moresby are 90 per cent occupied
” If we are not careful, where do we go?” Dr Liko said.
“Staff are stretched to the limit.
“People of this country, everybody, take note of this serious situation that we have.
” Each and every one of us must take ownership.”
Dr Liko was worried about how to care for the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
” Where do we place the rest of them?” he said.
Dr Liko was also worried that patients going home placed their families at risk.
The good news is that the Taurama Aquatic Centre facility will be opened next week, however, that does not give comfort to Dr Liko.
“Taurama Aquatic Centre should be opened, hopefully by Monday, and we can take some of the load off Port Moresby General Hospital and Rita Flynn,” he said.
” We would start with 120 beds and would have 60 patients or so transferred from Pom Gen and Rita Flynn. “
That, however, “will not solve the problem” with the ever-increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
“The curve is going up over the red line,” Dr Liko said.
” It’s a nightmare.
“I still can’t feel comfortable as I speak.”
Meanwhile, the 8000 AstraZeneca caccines donated by Australia this week would be used first on frontline health workers, who placed themselves at great risk.
Dr Liko said other essential workers in Immigration, point-of-entry, police and others would be given priority.