From the files of #FaaSamoa. Only three passengers remain in isolation from the 25 who tested positive for Covid-19 at different times after arriving from Brisbane in mid January.
Samoa’s Director General of Health Leausa Dr Take Naseri in an NEOC press conference yesterday said the three remaining passengers have already returned two consecutive negative tests.
“Their third tests will be done tomorrow (Friday) and once they return three consecutive negative tests, as per protocol, they will also be released,” said Leausa.
Of the 6 nurses who tested positive, Leausa said four have also satisfied the required number of negative tests to be released, however, have opted to stay in isolation as part of the team caring for Samoa’s positive cases.
It has been four and a half weeks since the 19th January repatriation flight from Brisbane Australia caused Samoa to go into Alert Level 1 lockdown for the first time since its borders closed to international travel in March 2020.
Repatriation flights have been well managed by Samoa’s frontliners and Health Minstry together with the support of the National Emergency team – NEOC – headed by Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo.
A repatriation flight from Auckland that arrived with 272 passengers last Saturday 12th February have been all-cleared after two rounds of testing. They remain in isolation until the 21 days is complete.
Samoa continues to contain all Covid-19 cases at the border with no community transmissions recorded to date.
The national vaccination rollout stands at close to 90% of all eligible adults double vaxxed with over 97% first dosages. Many are lining up wanting to receive boosters.
According to Dr Naseri, the 10,000 Pfizer vaccines announced by the Government of New Zealand last week have not yet arrived.
AstraZeneca is being used for booster shots in the meantime, while the Ministry is utilizing its current stock of Pfizer for children 12-17 years.
The Director General added that some District Hospitals are reporting they still had Pfizer vaccines left, and some adults have been able to receive those as boosters.
