Second Covid-related death suspected in PNG as cases spread

10:10 am on 29 July 2020

Authorities in Papua New Guinea have reported a second suspected death from Covid-19.

Port Moresby General Hospital

Port Moresby General Hospital Photo: POM General Hospital

The 35 year old man died in intensive care at Port Moresby General Hospital and test results were pending to confirm the death was due to Covid-19.

Last week a 48 year old cancer patient who died at the hospital tested positive for the coronavirus during a post-mortem examination.

PNG's Pandemic Response Controller, David Manning, also confirmed overnight a new case of coronavirus in Lae, the capital of Morobe province, bringing the country's total cases to 63.

The case comes after a cluster of infections in Port Moresby forced the implementation of a 14 day lockdown in the national capital and the enforcement of measures like the wearing of masks in public, social distancing and restrictions on movement and gathering.