COVID-19 community cases reach 247

By Alexander Rheeney 22 March 2022, 12:56AM

Health authorities have recorded 66 new community cases in 24 hours up to Monday night to bring Samoa’s total number of active COVID-19 community cases to 247.

A statement released by the Government Press Secretariat at 11.35pm on Monday quoted the Ministry of Health’s data that showed that a total of 1,510 tests were done as at 12pm Monday at 17 designated COVID-19 screening sites including health facilities.

In addition to the 247 community cases, the 15 imported cases linked to the N.Z. 0990 repatriation flight on 6 March continues to be monitored in isolation, bringing a combined total of 262 active COVID-19 cases. The M.O.H. has also identified a total of 428 close contacts of these cases which remain under investigation.

In terms of total cases for the respective islands, COVID-19 cases in Upolu have increased to 257 with Savai’i also increasing to 5. Currently, Manono-Tai and Apolima-Tai continue to record zero cases of COVID-19.

Active community cases of COVID-19 stands at 247 while 6 are currently in the isolation ward at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital, Moto'otua. There are currently no cases in the national hospital’s intensive care unit.

The origins of Samoa’s first community case recorded last Thursday remains a mystery with the Acting Director General of Health, Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen telling a virtual media conference on Monday that they hope further tests in New Zealand will assist the Ministry in its inquiry.

“We have tried to trace back contacts for the individual and there is no clear indication on how the virus got out in the community,” said Tagaloa, in response to a question asked during the virtual press conference on Monday. “For the meantime the Ministry is trying to concentrate on our screening process. 

“It is not an easy question that we can answer at this stage but we are sending samples to New Zealand with hope they can assist us on that.” 

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Health
By Alexander Rheeney 22 March 2022, 12:56AM
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