Defence releases info on latest COVID-19 case

Defence has confirmed that an ADF member posted to Papua New Guinea as part of Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program tested positive to COVID-19 on 18 June.

The member has been in Papua New Guinea since January 2020.

The member self-isolated on 5 June after reporting cold- and flu-like symptoms and has been following medical directions since that time and will stay in isolation until released by medical authorities.

Australia’s High Commission in PNG has conducted contact tracing and provided this information to the PNG government.

The member is also following the guidance of PNG authorities.

Australia has been working in partnership with PNG to prepare and respond to COVID-19.

Defence said the Defence Cooperation Program had made a significant contribution to the COVID-19 effort in PNG including across infrastructure, operations and equipment.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Defence released a similarly detailed statement on its first two cases COVID-19 on 9 March, but has maintained a total information blackout since that time – until this statement released at 9.32pm on a Saturday night.
Are we to assume there’s something significant about this latest case?
Such questions/speculation would not arrises if Defence was at least consistent – but, preferably, keep the media and thereby the public informed.

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