Man’s COVID-19 death in Redcliffe puts focus on PNG crisis
Before travel restrictions were put in place, Queensland was taking in almost one case of COVID-19 from Papua New Guinea every day.
Queensland Health has confirmed that a 77-year-old man had died from complications due to COVID-19 on Monday. His dual Papua New Guinea and UK citizenship, and the fact his infection was diagnosed in PNG, meant he would not be added to Queensland’s COVID-19 death toll of six.
The man – later named as Mal Kela Smith, a former regional governor and businessman from PNG – had been transported by medivac from PNG on March 28. He had been in the intensive care unit of Redcliffe hospital since then.
“PNG is one of Queensland’s closest neighbours, and when we can offer support to our neighbours, we can, and we will,” Queensland Health said in a statement.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, aeromedical crews have transferred a number of COVID positive, and potentially COVID positive patients to Queensland.”
Up until 6am yesterday, when Queensland recorded no new cases – community-acquired or in hotel quarantine – there had been 85 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in people with a history of travel in or transit through PNG. The most recent was on Monday.
This has put Queensland hospitals under pressure and prompted intra-state transfers amid fears recent outbreaks in greater Brisbane, including at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, might overwhelm the system. Only hastily-arranged travel restrictions have slowed the inflow of infected travellers.
The PA Hospital response disrupted elective surgery across the state, while the need to factor in sick days for health staff being vaccinated has also been a challenge for authorities to manage.
PNG has recorded a surge of cases in recent weeks, however the official tally of 7407 and death toll of 67 is thought to massively underestimate the scale of the problem. Australia has pledged vaccines and medical resources.
As Australia’s nearest neighbour continues to battle the epidemic, Queensland Health has been vaccinating communities in the Torres Strait, and is expected to help with similar efforts across the border in remote parts of PNG to build a defensive line between the two countries.
Today, Queensland recorded six new cases of COVID-19, all detected in hotel quarantine. There are now 73 active cases, of which 57 were overseas-acquired – 26 in PNG.
