The Papua New Guinea Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Jelta Wong says that it is hard to tell that at least seven out of 10 people in Port Moresby or other big centres have the Coronavirus (Covid-19) because people are scared of testing.
“The Covid-19 and its variants such as the Delta and Omicron are everywhere,” he said.
“The easiest way to stay safe is to follow the ‘Niupela Pasin’ (New Normal) of wearing mask, sanitising or washing hands, keeping physical distancing and getting vaccinated.
“Every country is going through this and no country is safe from the Covid-19.
“Most Pacific countries are heading into it.
“Some countries are saying that they do not have it and that’s because they are not testing.
“The biggest problem with getting the right information is that no one is testing. At least in Papua New Guinea, we are still testing and we have options available for people to go to and get tested.
“In the next couple of weeks, we will try to get these rapid diagnostic tests out in the public so that they can start testing themselves.
“The responsibility goes back to our people.
“If they feel sick, then they get tested and if it is a positive result, then they stay home and isolate.
“I have been vaccinated three times and I am still strong and walking.
“Other people who were vaccinated twice are getting the Covid-19 but they are not going to the hospital because they do not have the symptoms, so they just stay at home and try to flush it out of their system.”
Wong urges everyone to consider taking the vaccine and go for testing when feeling sick and isolate quickly to prevent the spread of the virus.
Source: The National/ One PNG News
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