All 71 individuals contact traced to Mr Ioane Ponifasio, who escaped from a Moamoa quarantine site in the early hours of Wednesday morning 20th October 2021, returned negative tests conducted last Saturday 23 October 2021.
A Ministry of Health statement signed by Health Director Leausa Dr Take Naseri on Monday 25 October confirmed that on Day 3 of the group’s quarantine, all 71 returned negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests.
“The Ministry assures the public that everyone is in good health and remain asymptomatic.. The Ministry continues to monitor everyone currently in quarantine including their close contacts”.
The Ministry also confirms all passengers that arrived from New Zealand on the 14th October, and from Australia on the 15th October 2021 also swabbed on day 7 of quarantine with all 339 passengers returned negative results.
“The Public is kindly advised to remain calm and continue adhering to public health measures by wearing a facial mask in public places, wash hands with a soap, maintain at least 2 metres social distance, and manage attending large public gatherings”.
Vaccinations of children aged 12 to 17 years started this week with schools in the Apia urban area. The Pfizer vaccine is being applied to children.
At the last published count Samoa 65% of Samoa’s eligible adult population have been vaccinated with the two-dose AstraZeneca vaccine while 95% have received the first dose.
There were also a reported 10k people with overdue second doses and the Ministry urges them to come forward and be fully vaccinated.
