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National | Novel Coronavirus / COVID-19

First suspected case of Coronavirus in Samoa

The Ministry of Health in Samoa is investigating the country’s first patient for Coronavirus.

The Ministry says it is a suspected case only and the patient was admitted to the TTM Hospital Motootua on Wednesday after experiencing flu-like symptoms for two days.

The patient resides in Auckland and flew in from New Zealand on Wednesday, March 11 for a family occasion.

“The patient’s samples have been sent to Australia for COVID-19 testing,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry was first made aware yesterday that it could take up to 20 working days to receive the results.

However, due to the urgency of the request from the Ministry, they have been advised by laboratories in both Australia and New Zealand today that the turnaround time for testing samples from Samoa will be between three to five days.

The patient is in a stable condition receiving care at the TTM Hospital, separate from other patients.

The Ministry is undertaking contact tracing of all possible contacts fo the patient and says the public will be updated immediately as soon as they have further information.

“We encourage all persons who have travelled or transited through countries affected by COVID-19 to monitor themselves for the development of fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms please contact the Ministry of Health COVID-19 call centre for advice. Additionally, please self-isolate at home. That is to stay in a separate room from family members and use separate eating and drinking utensils.”

⚠️UPDATED INFORMATION as of 19 March 2020 from the Public Health, Ministry of Health Samoa states that the turnaround...

Posted by Government of Samoa on Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Support for Pacific communities in Aotearoa

The Pacific Leadership Forum, a council of Pasifika leaders, met with the Ministry of Pacific Peoples yesterday to discuss ways to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The communal living of the Pasifika community and the large church gatherings create ideal transmission grounds for the virus.

A prime example of this was the funeral service held last year for the Tongan Prime Minister Akilisi Pōhiva in Māngere. People with measles came to the service and ended up transmitting the sickness to others.

Chairman of the Forum Teleiai Edwin Puni says the leaders are looking into digitising church meetings, youth activities and choir performances so that people can participate remotely.

The leaders also met with the CEO of the Ministry of Pacific Peoples in the hopes of creating a partnership. A core group will be set up to work with the Ministry in communicating with the Pasifika community as to how to stop the spread of this virus.

“Communication infrastructure is a big part of what was discussed today and we are seeking assistance of government for those reasons,” Teleiai says.