Papua New Guinea begins to see an increase in new COVID-19 cases.

Papua New Guinea’s EMTV reports the country recorded its highest number of positive COVID-19 cases in a day bringing the total to 62.

All are Papua New Guineans with the exception of an expatriate public servant.

Officials are urging the public to take health measures more seriously.

The COVID-19 Deputy State of Emergency Controller, Dr Paison Dakulala, stated 49 of those cases were confirmed in the last ten days.

“We are seeing community transmission and I am therefore urging everyone to take our health messages very seriously,” Dr Dakulala said.

Dr Dakulala urged individuals to take responsibility of their health and the health of their families, by wearing face masks, sanitize or wash hands regularly and strongly urged those who have nothing to do to stay at home.

Restrictions had been placed on numbers of public gatherings to 100.

Social distancing, restricted movement and hand washing measures were being heavily promoted.

As of Saturday, 9,885 people had been tested for COVID-19 since January.

There were 535 tests pending results – 300 at a laboratory in Brisbane and the remainder in Singapore.

The Deputy Controller also warned authorities were preparing for Port Moresby’s isolation facility to reach capacity.