22 March 2022 Apia Samoa. A total of 66 new community cases were recorded in the last 24hrs, bringing the total number of cumulative community cases to 247. Adding the 15 imported cases still being monitored, the total for Samoa is now 262.
It is not clear if the latest numbers include private testing, with the public now able to purchase RAT tests from local pharmacies for $30 tala per test. Several workplaces were investing in RAT tests for their employees suspected to have been close contacts.
The Ministry of Health confirms a total of 1,510 tests were carried out as at 12pm Monday 21 March at 17 designated COVID-19 screening sites, including health facilities and district hospitals. The 66 new cases equates to just under 5% of those tested.
Acting Director General of Health Tagaloa Dr Robert Thompsen has advised the public to stay home and not come in for testing unless you are Symptomatic or you’ve been identified as a close contact.
The Ministry says there are 428 close contacts yet to be tested and “remain under investigation”.
