The state of emergency imposed by the Government as a result of the measles crisis ends on Sunday.

The decision, announced by the National Emergency Operation Centre, was made by Cabinet during a special meeting on Saturday afternoon.

"At a Special Meeting this afternoon Saturday 28th December 2019, Cabinet unanimously approved the cancellation of the State of Emergency Orders in place since last November as a result of the Measles Epidemic," the statement reads.

"In its decision, Cabinet has approved the State of Recovery for Samoa to commence immediately."

According to Cabinet, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been tasked with the preparations of the Recovery Plan to be tabled for Cabinet’s consideration in two weeks time.

"Cabinet has also instructed that all works which were centralised and conducted by the National Emergency Operation Center (N.E.O.C.) during the crisis are to be referred to the Health Emergency Operation Center for continuation.

"And finally, the Public Appeal supported by the United Nations will continue with the UN’s Resident Coordinator working together in close collaboration with the Government of Samoa."

The state of emergency was earlier this month extended by a fortnight.

The emergency had first been proclaimed on November 15 and was designated to last for at least one month. 

The Government decided to extend it in order to reach a measles, mumps and rubella immunisation target of 100 per cent of the population. 

The end of the state of emergency comes as the Ministry of Health confirmed that 5,655 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started.  

During the last 24 hours, there was no measles related death. Twenty one new cases were recorded.

The latest update reads:

"There are currently 46 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.  Of this, 39 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 1 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital, 2 at Lalomanu District Hospital and 4 at Foailalo District Hospital.   Admissions include 9 critically ill children in ICU/HDU and 1 pregnant woman admitted to Leulumoega District Hospital.  

The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,844.  Of that, 1,717 (93%) patients have been discharged. 

To date, 81 measles related deaths have been recorded.  There were no fatalities in the last 24 hours.

VACCINATION UPDATE:

As of December 27, 2019, approximately 95% of all eligible people in Samoa have been vaccinated against measles.