Patient tests negative for coronavirus

By Talaia Mika 11 July 2020, 9:30PM

A Tufulele mother who had flu-like symptoms after arriving from New Zealand tested negative for the coronavirus on Saturday.

Maria Sione touched down two weeks ago and was isolated at her home in Vailele before she was taken to the national hospital for coronavirus testing.

Two of her relatives whom she had travelled with and was quarantined with told the Samoa Observer that their relative had asthma and had caught the flu.

Daniel Patelesio said he was released together with his father and Mrs. Sione on Saturday after all three of them were tested negative.

“We were just worried when my aunty had [the] flu but when she was brought to the hospital, the doctors confirmed that she almost had pneumonia and that was because of the weather,” he said.

“Fortunately, her results came out negative and we’re grateful for that.”

Mr. Patelesio’s father, Malaki Patelesio, said homesickness had contributed to his relatives' illness.

“She has been sick as she longed to see her children,” he said.

Attempts to get a comment from the woman were unsuccessful but, according to her relatives, she was happy and well after reuniting with her children on Saturday.

The Tufulele mother also tested negative for the virus in New Zealand before she boarded a flight for Apita from Auckland two weeks ago.

Mrs. Sione was not the only one who presented with flu-like symptoms.

Three other passengers who arrived on the same flight as Mrs. Sione was isolated at the national Moto’otua hospital after presenting with similar symptoms. They underwent coronavirus testing before their quarantine term of 14 days was over. 

The Chairman of the National Emergency Operation Centre, Ulu Bismarck Crawley, confirmed this week that the passengers who arrived two weeks ago from New Zealand will undergo testing. 

He said the passengers are continuing to be monitored by the Ministry of Health.

 



By Talaia Mika 11 July 2020, 9:30PM
Samoa Observer

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