Pandemic not over until entire world vaccinated

Papua New Guinea had no confirmed COVID-19 cases in June last year, and continued to have extremely low numbers of cases throughout 2020. However, the island nation has now been overwhelmed by cases as the virus runs rampant. More than 3,000 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in PNG; two-thirds of those occurred in the last month alone.

Around 10% of hospital workers in Port Moresby have tested positive to the virus. Hospitals are running out of room, and staff are exhausted. Misinformation about the virus and vaccines is also high, with some believing the virus to be a hoax or that it couldn’t affect them.

This situation is exactly what many experts have feared – poorer countries suffering as wealthy countries buy up vaccine stockpiles. The director of WHO has warned that the pandemic will not end until everyone has been vaccinated. In response, Australia has donated 8,000 AstraZeneca doses, protective equipment, ventilators and a small health specialist team. Australia itself will not be safe until our neighbours like PNG are protected from the pandemic. In fact, 42 of the 67 active cases of COVID-19 in Queensland are from PNG. But the island nation will need many more vaccinated before it can be protected from this virus.

The CPAP Clinic is a leading Australian provider of Respiratory, Sleep Disorders, Cardiology and PPE services and products. Based in Sydney, it has a network of 40 clinics nationwide.