“Papua New Guinea has 18 new cases of Covid-19, all in Western Province.
“The total number of cases in the country stands at 419.
“The death toll remains at four, all from the National Capital District.
“The 18 new cases bring the Western Province's total confirmed cases to 143.
“One hundred and forty are from the Ok Tedi Mine gold and copper which has been shut down due to the pandemic.
“The mine township of Tabubil is currently under lockdown.
“The Office of the National Pandemic Response Controller said the mine brought significant foreign exchange into the country and its closure was affecting the country's economy in a big way.”
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