Five children have died from measles since Sunday, including the first child aged between five and nine years of age, bringing the total national death toll to 53.

A Government update was issued on Monday afternoon confirming the deaths since Sunday, including the child aged between five and nine and three more toddlers and one under four year old bringing the total measles related fatalities to 53, the Government reports.

Samoa has now lost 25 children between one and four years old and 23 under one year old. 

Cases of measles have risen to 3,728, another 198 of which were recorded in the last day, and hospitalisations have risen to 1,129. 

There are 19 children in the intensive care unit and one new born and two pregnant women are undergoing treatment in Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital. 

The Government reports so far 893 hospitalisations have been discharged from care.

The mass vaccination campaign begins its third week on Monday with 58,150 people vaccinated already, majority of which were in Upolu.

It brings the total inoculated population to 90,893, just under half the population.

Vaccinations are now available to everyone between 6 months and 60 years old, with the priority age group limitation lifted.

If you are unable to reach a clinic in the Apia Urban Area, text or call 999 and arrange to have a mobile unit reach your home.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi will be delivering a state address from his office this evening at 5pm regarding the epidemic.

The Government provided an update on its mass vaccination campaign broken down by demographic. 

The Government said that since the activation of the Mass Vaccination Campaign on 20 November 2019, the Ministry has vaccinated 58,150 individuals, of that 43,529 were vaccinated in Upolu and 14,621 in Savaii.