PNG’s police commissioner and pandemic controller David Manning has told of his personal experience of being infected with COVID-19.
Mr Manning told the Post Courier that he believed he contracted the virus while in Bougainville during the Joint Supervisory Body meeting between the ABG and national government back in February.
He was sick for around a week and suffered what he described as “malaria-like” symptoms with a severe headache, “unbearable body aches” and a high fever.
Mr Manning said that while he was unwell, he was lucky to have had what was considered a mild case. He said he needed to drink lots of water as he was dehydrated and ate healthy organic foods such as oranges, grapes and fresh vegetables.
Mr Manning said he got plenty or rest and took Panadol to manage his symptoms. He said anybody who suspected that they had COVID-19 or who had come in recent contact with someone who had, needed to self-isolate to ensure they did not pass it on to others.
While the vast majority of people in PNG who contract COVID-19 can expect a mild to moderate case, others can become seriously ill, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, as the virus attacks the respiratory system.
There have now been around 9,000 confirmed case of COVID-19 in PNG, including more than 100 in Bougainville. More than 70 people have died in PNG. The case numbers in PNG are suspected to be much higher due to low levels of testing.
Vaccine roll outs commenced in recent weeks, but gaining access to large numbers of doses is proving challenging. An initial batch of 8,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were received by PNG from Australia and there is a request to Europe for a subsequent one million doses for PNG as a matter of priority.
Mr Manning recently received a vaccine jab and is promoting the importance of vaccination. Health workers are an early priority given the virus is putting pressure on PNG’s hospitals and health facilities, particularly in Port Moresby.
Bougainvilleans are being urged to remain vigilant to COVID-19 and to practice social distancing measures, regular hand washing for at least 20 seconds, cough and sneeze into your elbow and consider the importance of face masks when in public, particularly if social distancing is not possible.
Anybody who is feeling unwell should call the toll-free COVID-19 hotline on 7446 0830 (AROB) or 1800 200 (PNG).