SUVA, Nov 19 (NNN-XINHUA) – Samoa reported today, its first COVID-19 case, a sailor who arrived in the island nation, on a repatriation flight from Auckland, New Zealand last Friday, with mixed testing results.
Samoa’s Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, announced early today that, the man tested positive for the virus last night, but a second test this morning had returned a negative result.
The man has been isolated at Tupua Tamasese Motootua hospital, in the capital city of Apia.
“After four days in quarantine, tests were conducted and a sailor was tested positive and he was immediately isolated, as per usual procedures, the police are stationed there for safety reasons,” the prime minister said.
“A second test was conducted at 6:00 a.m. local time today and it came out negative and these things happen, hence the press conference to inform the public over this matter.”
Tuilaepa urged people to keep calm and to heed advisories from the National Emergency Operations Centre and the Ministry of Health.
He made it clear that Samoa would not take any chances, as the man could transmit the virus to others.
The prime minister said, cabinet will meet this afternoon to discuss further, safety measures and review the planned repatriation flight from Los Angeles, next Friday.
All together 17 Samoan sailors arrived on the flight last Friday and have been in quarantine with nearly 300 passengers.
Samoa is currently under a state of emergency, which has been extended until Dec 23 this year.– NNN-XINHUA
