Covid Update: Samoa Registers Highest Number of New Cases Since the Community Outbreak

Wednesday 20 April 2022, MOH Covid-19 Update The Ministry of Health has issued an update for the past 24-hour period from 2pm Monday 18th to 2pm Tuesday 19th April stating the number of new community cases to be 485.

The new Covid-19 cases have been detected from both PCR and rapid antigen tests collected from all testing sites including health facilities, private clinics as well as self-reporting from members of the public, the MOH confirms.

The new record number of cases takes Samoa’s total community cases recorded since the 17th of March 2022 to 6,731. Savaii’s numbers have returned in this latest report. Of the 6,731 cases – 6,201 are attributed to the more densely populated Upolu, while Savaii’s number has now reached 525. The island of Manono, previously covid-free has now registered 5 cases.

There are 16 cases being cared for at the Isolation Ward of Motootua National Hospital – up one from the 15 that were there yesterday, however, there is one less case in ICU. There were four reported yesterday and three today.

There are no deaths reported during this period.

Samoa will continue in Alert Level 2 with eased restrictions as announced by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa yesterday, while the government prioritises vaccinations with a focus on boosters for adults and second doses of pfizer for children aged 5-11 years.

“We continue to strongly encourage our country to complete vaccinations, wear face masks, practice social distancing and minimize public gatherings,” urged the Prime Minister in a special public address.

The Ministry of Health continues to urge members of the public to remain vigilant, stay home and isolate if you are feeling unwell, and practice safe personal hygiene at all times.

The public is again urged to get vaccinated as vaccination remains the best defense against the COVID-19 pandemic.