Flight attendant suspected of coronavirus has left Samoa

The Malaysian flight attendant who was among Samoa's 31 suspected cases of the coronavirus has left the country.

This was confirmed by the Chairman of the National Emergency Operation Centre, Ulu Bismarck Crawley, who said the woman left the country on Thursday last week with the rest of the Malindo Air crew.

The Malaysian crew members were working on Samoa Airways while the national carrier leased the aircraft from Air Malindo. The Government ended the lease and decided to release the Malindo Air aircraft and crew last week.

According to Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, other flight attendants were quarantined at Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel on Beach Road. 

This was before the female flight attendant showed symptoms similar to COVID-19 and was later taken into the Moto’otua hospital for further investigation and monitored. 

The latest report from the Ministry of Health confirmed there is still no positive case of coronavirus in Samoa with number of suspected cases increasing to 31. 

The Ministry reported there were still 11 suspected cases that have remained untested due to border lockdown restrictions. 

“There has been no new suspected case during the past three days,” says the Ministry of Health. 

“All the 20 samples sent overseas (New Zealand) for testing came back negative. 

“Number of outstanding samples: 11 (these samples are awaiting transport on the next available flight).”

The samples being referred to were taken from people with fever and flu-like symptoms with a history of travel in the past 14 days overseas, the Ministry of Health pointed out. 

 “Active surveillance for early detection of COVID-19 cases in Samoa is ongoing. 

The public will be updated regularly on the number of people meeting the criteria for COVID-19 testing and their test results.” 

Tests using the GeneXpert machine available at the Moto’otua laboratory is anticipated within the next 3 to 4 weeks. 

Passengers who travelled or transited through countries affected by COVID-19 are encouraged to monitor themselves for development of fever, cough and shortness of breath.