Fears of ‘catastrophe’ as rising COVID-19 cases hit Papua New Guinea’s stretched health system

Even as many countries around the world are reaching what they hope is the beginning of the end of the pandemic, a new coronavirus tragedy is just starting to unfold on Australia’s doorstep.

Our closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea, which until recently remained relatively untouched by the virus, has been plunged into a COVID-19 crisis, with knock-on effects reaching our shores.

Port Moresby’s under-resourced hospital is dealing with a growing number of coronavirus patients — including pregnant women — with fewer staff as doctors and nurses become infected.

Additional temporary beds for coronavirus patients are filling up fast with seriously ill patients and…