People learn prevention knowledge about COVID-19 at a shopping centre in Port Moresby of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Sept. 4, 2020. PNG officially recorded zero new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, with the nation's total standing at 471 confirmed cases and five deaths, according to a press release from the PNG government late Thursday. (Photo by Bai Xuefei/Xinhua)
SYDNEY, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea (PNG) officially recorded zero new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, with the nation's total standing at 471 confirmed cases and five deaths, according to a press release from the PNG government late Thursday.
As of Wednesday 12 provinces had recorded cases, with West New Britain seeing its first two official infections. They were a 50-year old expatriate male and 20-year old female who were swabbed on arrival at the province's main airport.
National Pandemic Response Controller, David Manning called for more people with symptoms to come forward for testing.
"Let us enhance our testing so we know where the virus is so we can put in measures to stop it from spreading further," Manning said.
However, earlier in the week Manning also said that more than half of the people who had tested positive so far had not shown any signs and symptoms of the disease.
"This indicates that many people are carrying the virus and unknowingly spreading the virus to their families, friends and other people in the communities," Manning said.
PNG adopted relaxed restrictions early last month, allowing for small public gatherings, schools and workplaces to continue operating, while the public adhered to social distancing and hygiene measures. Enditem
