Grave concerns over new ultra-infectious Covid variant found in PNG – and it’s already reached Australia
A new strain of Covid has been detected in dozens of Australians returning from overseas.
Queensland Health revealed on Thursday genome sequencing had confirmed Covid-positive arrivals to the state had the Papua New Guinea variant.
‘The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation and as the pandemic is ongoing, we have continued to see new variants emerge, such as the UK and South African variants,’ the statement said.
‘From 1 January to 25 March 2021 (6am) Queensland Health has been notified of 64 cases of Covid-19 in people with a history of travel in or transit through Papua New Guinea.
‘Currently the variant most commonly detected in travellers from Papua New Guinea is the B.1.466.2 lineage, which is not a lineage of concern.
‘This is the new name for the specific B.1 strain mentioned as circulating in PNG.’
The revelation comes amid news more Australian-made coronavirus vaccines could be sent to Papua New Guinea, which is in the grips of a dire outbreak.
PNG, which is just kilometres from Australia’s northernmost islands, faces a worsening crisis with hundreds of new cases recorded each day despite low testing rates.
More to come.
PNG faces a worsening crisis with hundreds of new cases recorded each day despite low testing rates. Pictured: Port Moresby general hospital
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