The Torres Strait is a unique environment to work as a paramedic.
The region is home to a series of islands scattered over a stretch of ocean spanning 48,000 square kilometres from the tip of Queensland s Cape York, towards Papua New Guinea, and over to Indonesia.
Most of the staff at the Thursday Island ambulance station, where the area s main hospital is located, are trained to fly on a rescue helicopter.
On a busy day, the flight paramedics could be required to do back-to-back jobs across the 18 inhabited islands.
They, along with the helicopters, are on standby 24 hours a day.
An aerial view of one of the 18 inhabited islands in the Torres Strait.
The risk from PNG, meanwhile, is ever-present. The Torres Strait island of Saibai, which has received some vaccinations, is only a short dinghy ride from PNG.
On Friday, the Queensland government announced five new cases in the state. All involved returned travellers from PNG.
There were 12 active cases in Queensland hospitals involving those from PNG. The total number of cases in Queensland that can be traced back to PNG was 97.
The deputy premier, Steven Miles, said on Friday that the risk to the Torres Strait remained “significant”.
“There are islands in the Torres Strait where you can see PNG from the beaches and where it is very common for people to travel for traditional trade purposes between PNG and Torres Strait islands . so it’s incredibly important that we get as many of those folk that we know are vulnerable vaccinated as quickly as we can,” he said.
Torres Strait faces significant Covid risk from nearby PNG as AstraZeneca vaccine rollout paused msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
China s deal with PNG will deplete fishing stock and pose border risk
Opinion
By Anthony Bergin and Jeffrey Wall
December 23, 2020 â 2.30pm
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China is increasing its efforts to undermine our influence in Papua New Guinea. PNG signed a Belt and Road Initiative agreement with China two years ago. Itâs now the scene of intense Chinese activity. In a geostrategic move last month, China signed a memorandum of understanding with PNGâs fisheries minister and the governor of Western Province to build a $200 million comprehensive multi-functional fishery industrial park on Daru Island.
Illustration: Dionne Gain
It s a development designed to throw Australia off balance in a sensitive location:
National Indigenous Times
Torres Strait Islander community leaders fear plans of a Chinese fish processing plant on the island of Daru will impact border security and the commercial fishing sector.
Located off the southern coast of Papua New Guinea, Daru Island is one of the few Torres Strait Islands that are governed by Papua New Guinea rather than Australia.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Papua New Guinea to build a $200 million comprehensive multi-functional fishery industrial park.
Community leaders believe the fishing facility will negatively affect nearby communities and their access to resources.