Samoa’s First Covid Community Case Says SGN Published “All My Information” – Editor Responds

21 March 2022, Apia Samoa. Samoa’s first community transmission case has spoken out in a video clip posted on social media on Sunday night, naming Samoa Global News as having published an article that “had all of my information on there” and accuses SGN for stating that she had infected people in the hospital.

“I was just a little disappointed to see all my information, written in there, so detailed.. and writing it in a way where I had infected all these people in the hospital.. Honestly when I read it, I thought, what if they infected me? What if I got covid from going to the hospital?”

It is still unclear how Samoa’s first community case had become infected, however, she remained completely unaware until a pre-departure test taken last Thursday, returned positive.

Ms Naila Tyner was not named by Samoa Global News, nor any other local news media, however, her information had become public on Thursday night, when a leaked Cabinet document containing her biodata and movements went viral on social media.

Samoa Global News published the movements of patient zero under a heading “Places of Interest” on Thursday night, and then included this information in other follow-up articles over the weekend.

Samoa Global News Editor, Tuiloma Sina Retzlaff says, “At no time did SGN publish personal information about Ms Tyner, nor do any of our articles state that she had “infected all those people at the hospital”.. We would never do that as a news site.”

“We, too, are disappointed in Ms Tyner’s public attempt to name and shame Samoa Global News, and then goes on to discredit all media outlets in Samoa, at this crucial time of having to get out the right information for our people,” said Tuiloma.

“What we have done, and will continue to do, is list the movements of infected persons in as much detail as possible. These movements are crucial Places of Interest and we will not apologise for reporting those details”.

Tuiloma says “Places of Interest” informs the public of any possible risks to them and their families. “Especially those with unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children..”

“In this instance,” said Tuiloma, “that information made available on Thursday night proved to be crucial and has been a blessing to so many people who were able to identify with the locations and times listed, and then take precautionary measures to immediately isolate and be tested – from as early as Friday. Many were then able to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of their families and workplaces through self-isolation”.

Tuiloma said SGN did report of doctors, nurses, patients and caregivers at Motootua National Hospital who had been tested positive.

“And we also did report that the infected person had visited the Motootua National Hospital twice, and yes, we do list the dates and times of those visits as crucial public information for anyone who may have been at the Outpatient during those times”.

Tuiloma added, “Similarly so for those who may have caught a bus, or attended a meeting as listed. And given the days that had passed, this was also very important information for those who may have come into contact with those who caught a bus or attended a meeting, and so on and so forth as the contact tracing in these situations go.”

Tuiloma says she has responded to Ms Tyler’s accusations and the naming of Samoa Global News in a public letter addressed to her.

Sun 13 March – went to church (Apia International Christian Church)
Mon 14 March – came to Emergency Department around 5pm with symptoms of vomiting and chills.
Tue 15 March – stayed home.
Wed 16 March – went shopping (Market, Library, CCK, Fiji Airways Travel Centre in Apia). Then had a church gathering in the evening with about 20 – 30 people.

Thurs 17 March:  8am – Caught bus to town from Vaitele Tai. Caught bus from the market to Motootua (Motootua bus).
9am – Arrived at PH building within hospital. Waited for 2hrs for PCR test.
11am- Caught Motootua bus to the market.  From there she caught the NUS bus to NUS.
11:30am – Arrived at NUS. Bible sharing with about 15 students (next to the Chem lab).
3pm – Left NUS and went to McDonalds with a friend (spent an hour)                                4pm – Went to the waterfront area, walked to the police station where she caught the bus to come to the hospital. Came to the PH building before walking down to the PH Lab.

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