The announcement of this nation’s first COVID-19 death is the kind of sad news we were all hoping we would never have to read. But it was inevitable and only a matter of time since COVID-19 entered the community. 

In Samoa’s case, it hasn’t taken long at all. Less than two weeks since our first community case was detected, a beloved citizen of this country has succumbed to the pandemic, adding to growing fears about the gravity of the crisis before us all. 

According to a statement from the Government, the deceased is a 67-year-old man who died shortly after he was admitted to the Lalomanu District Hospital. The man apparently had multiple “comorbidities,” a term used to describe the existence of more than one disease within a person’s body at the same time. 

Today first and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased and his loved ones. This is obviously a very difficult time, we can only pray for strength for the family to get through this ordeal. It is never easy to lose a loved one, let alone under such difficult circumstances. 

But if we ever needed a reminder about the seriousness of COVID-19, this tragic news should be a wake up call. 

While this piece was being written on Friday, official figures place the total number of COVID-19 cases at 1,831. It would probably be close to 2,000 if not more by the time you read this. In the space of two weeks, the case numbers in the community have been averaging more than 150 a day. 

These statistics are alarming but what is even more concerning is that our struggles with COVID-19 have just started.  Looking at the experiences of other countries around the world, we are in for a long struggle to save lives. As of yesterday, some 6.4 million lives around the world have been claimed by COVID.

Samoa has now joined this number. Our first fatality shows that COVID-19 is not a joke, and cannot be treated like ‘any other flu’ as some people have casually advocated. The pandemic is a beast of a different type and it is here to stay; we must brace for the worst. 

What’s even more alarming is the thought that the deceased had “multiple comorbidities.” We say this because in Samoa, we have one of the worst non-communicable disease statistics in the region and the world. This means that all somebody who has other underlying health conditions needs is COVID-19 to trigger something towards a path of no return. We fear what could happen when this reality sets in. 

We don’t like to be the bearer of bad news and as much as we want to be optimistic, the grim reality is plain to see. Samoa’s health care system is inadequate to deal with thousands and thousands of COVID-19 cases, which could well become the norm. 

As hard as they are trying, the health workers are under the pump, already overworked and under paid. Essential workers including Police officers, first responders, N.E.O.C. officials and many others are worn out and tired and yet the reality of COVID-19 living in Samoa has just settled in. 

We want to make the point that while the pressure is on the Government to open the borders and allow life in Samoa to return to normal, they need to be extra careful. While COVID-19 is already in the community, and pressure from the business community is mounting for normal operation, their first priority should be about saving lives. One life lost is one too many but we fear that this number will only grow as cases continue to climb. 

Cabinet’s decision to shorten the quarantine period for passengers of a flight from Auckland last week is an indication of things to come. With an announcement to be made next Tuesday about the next steps after a two week Level 3 lockdown, there is temptation to hurry Samoa into living with the pandemic, given the rampant spread as we see today. 

It is not an easy decision and we acknowledge that. There are competing priorities on every side and they are all important. That’s not forgetting the political pressure especially on a new administration trying to find their feet.

The question is this; is this country ready to embrace living with COVID-19, especially when the numbers spiral out of control? Are we prepared for what is to come, and the likely loss of more lives, when we shift to that mentality of living with the virus? 

These are critical questions but they are questions the Government and all the relevant authorities should ask as we look to the future. There are no easy answers but this is why leaders are placed in those positions of power. They are required to be measured, calculated and place people first in their decision-making. We expect nothing less as we continue to deal with COVID-19.

We are all in this together. 

Stay safe Samoa, God help us all!