Health authorities have recorded 644 new community cases in the last 48 hours to push the total number of COVID-19 cases in Samoa to 8,923.

In a Situational Report on the COVID-19 Pandemic by the Ministry of Health (MOH), which was released on Thursday afternoon and covered the period 2pm Sunday 24 April to 2pm Tuesday 26 April, the Ministry said currently 19 patients are in managed isolation with one (1) in ICU at Moto’otua Hospital. 

COVID-19 cases reported at the port of entry total 72 including one (1) new positive border case confirmed in the last 48 hours. There were no new deaths reported in the last 48 hours according to the M.O.H. which means that the country’s coronavirus death toll currently stands at 16.

With the new cases, the total number of community cases in Samoa since the detection of the first community case on 17 March is 8,923 according to the Ministry. Altogether the total number of confirmed community cases in Samoa is now 8,995 as of Tuesday 26 April.

As to the location of the most cases, 91.0 per cent of those who tested positive are from Upolu with 8.9 per cent in Savai’i and only 0.1 per cent from Manono.

The M.O.H. then reminded the public to remain vigilant and adhere to public health advice such as wearing face masks, maintaining social distance in public places and ensuring personal hygiene at all times.

"Those who are feeling unwell are strongly advised to stay home and isolate to keep your families and loved ones safe. 

"Vaccination remains our best defence against COVID-19. The national vaccination roll out continues to date. 

“Please visit the nearest vaccination site if you have not completed your doses, or to do a booster dose."